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January 15, 2026      5:14 PM

With the perceived frontrunner largely sidelined from the campaign trail, three Republicans hustle for a runoff spot against Roy in GOP primary for Texas Attorney General

Congressman Roy thinks he can win outright, Chair Huffman stresses she’s earned the trust of Lt. Gov. Patrick, Sen. Middleton attacks “taxpayer funded lobbyists” at almost every turn, Reitz argues legislators don’t have the requisite experience to do the job

HOUSTON – For the first time since Gov. Greg Abbott ascended to the Governor’s Masion in Austin more than a decade ago, the race for Texas Attorney General is wide open. With four Republicans and two Democrats vying for a shot to succeed AG Ken Paxton, the shape of the race is hard to determine even when taking a closer look at the candidates.

Let’s focus first on the Republicans, since they’re running in the election of consequence in this state: The GOP primary.

Without a doubt, this four-way battle features some of the fieriest rhetoric of any of this year’s statewide contests. One candidate, for example, is gaining traction by repeatedly portraying the race as chance to fight the “dark forces of the left” while another slams “taxpayer funded lobbying” at every turn. Voters are being told there’s a "threat of Sharia law” creeping into Texas and the perceived frontrunner is constantly under attack for opposing President Donald Trump in the days after the January 6 insurrection.

At campaign events, on the airwaves, and online, voters across Texas are inundated by messages from candidates shouting for attention but perhaps not holding much of it.

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By Scott Braddock

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January 15, 2026      5:11 PM

Abbott announces nearly $106 million cash on hand

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January 15, 2026      4:29 PM

Significant cash flowing in open statewide races while Texas legislative campaign fundraising looks a bit anemic

West Texas billionaires showing up big for Bo French for RRC; acting Comptroller Hancock’s benefitting from Abbott adjacency; Texas House members scramble in individual races

Compared to two years ago, the January semi-annual legislative campaign finance reports might seem a little boring. But that might be welcome news after the political fire drill and ensuing panic that played out in 2024 as Gov. Greg Abbott punished Republicans for opposing school vouchers and Attorney General Ken Paxton went on a retribution tour following the impeachment proceedings against him in the Texas House.

But there are some curiosities that stand out.

Let’s get into it.

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By James Russell

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January 15, 2026      2:30 PM

Lt. Gov. Patrick has $38 million cash on hand

That's after raising $3.5 million

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January 15, 2026      9:28 AM

Kronberg says Cornyn is stuck in place while Talarico is just now being discovered and stands to gain the most from live debate with Crockett

On Spectrum News in Austin, Texas Capital Tonight host James Barragan and QR Publisher Harvey Kronberg handicap the US Senate race with the primary truly now underway

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January 14, 2026      5:08 PM

Local governments and nonprofits to grapple with fallout after Trump Administration nixes billions in grants for addiction and mental health

NPR reported the number nationally could be as high as $2 billion in loss of funds for those programs.

The info on Bexar County, for example, is here.

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January 14, 2026      4:53 PM

Fort Bend County Judge candidate Dexter McCoy raises more than $1 million

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January 12, 2026      5:12 PM

Notes from the Campaign Trail ShamWow Edition

Crockett starts bus tour, Bannon moves to Texas, Talarico jumpstarts field operations, Chair Patterson slams opponent for suggesting cops should be killed “if necessary,” the “ShamWow Guy” leaves cleaning supplies on doors, and more

NEW BRAUNFELS – With the mad dash to the March primary now well underway, I’d like to take y’all along as Quorum Report continues our tradition of traveling to communities big and small around Texas to tell the stories of the campaigns as they unfold on both the Republican and Democratic side. Over the last decade, I’ve put tens of thousands of miles on the truck to get this done. Before that, Publisher Harvey Kronberg was the road warrior making the rounds during campaigns for decades.

As much as QR is sometimes considered “inside the Ausitn bubble,” a hallmark of the publication has always been to travel across Texas, gather information about what’s really happening on the ground in key districts, and report that intel back to political professionals who have skin in the game in some races and morbid curiosity about others. Our coverage of the campaigns in past years featured – and still will – in-depth stories delving into individual contests. This year, Quorum Report’s “Notes from the Campaign Trail” will offer more frequent updates about developments that are significant, ridiculous, and everything in between.

For this edition, let’s start here in Comal County where Rep. James Talarico preached to the choir but found a tiny bit of discontent among his supporters about how his campaign is unfolding.

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By Scott Braddock

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January 12, 2026      11:05 AM

Texas Senate sources indicate Lt Gov. Patrick wants Interim Charge recommendations on his desk by close of business on Feb 20

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January 9, 2026      2:53 PM

People on the Move

Significant lobby moves, power players, association news, and the scoop on a new media outlet covering the Capitol

Yes, today is the day. The Quorum Report Radio Podcast has moved to Fridays. Producer Evan and I just wrapped up the latest edition focusing in on the aftermath of the ICE shooting in Minnesota and how it’s reverberating on the campaign trail in Texas. As you’ve demanded, it’ll be on your favorite podcast app this evening instead of Monday mornings. The links to subscribe to the show are on the QR homepage.

Meantime, the movers and shakers in Ausitn and both movin’ and shakin’ as we kick off 2026. In and around the Texas Capitol, some power players are starting the year with announcements of new lobby shops while others are further ramping up their involvement in civic life. Plus, QR has the scoop on a new media outlet covering the Capitol that’s launching next week.

You can always let us know about career news, whether it belongs to you or someone else, by sending it to ksbraddock@gmail.com. Use POTM in the subject line. Also, it’s fine to text me about it but please follow up with an email because I don’t want to lose track of it. My texts get even busier during campaign season, as you might imagine.

Here’s the first POTM of 2026.

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By Scott Braddock

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January 9, 2026      1:00 PM

Funeral services set for former Sen. Jon Lindsay

Services are set for 1/19 with visitation at 10am, service at 11am at Klein Methodist Church, 5920 FM2920, Spring, Tx. In Austin, the Texas State Cemetery will hold a burial service for Lindsay at 1pm on January 20. The services are public.

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January 9, 2026      11:19 AM

Speaker Burrows asks for input on interim charges no later than February 9

In a memo to Texas House members this morning he said committee chairs should submit their recommendations by close of business that day

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January 8, 2026      10:14 AM

Abbott appoints Amanda Crawford as Texas Insurance Commissioner

She was previously executive director of DIR

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