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June 20, 2025      11:16 PM

Former Congressman Blake Farenthold passed away

He was 63

KRIS TV in Corpus has the story:

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — The Coastal Bend community is mourning the death of former U.S. Representative for Texas’s 27th congressional district, Blake Farenthold. According to Nueces County Commissioner Mike Pusley and two other sources who confirmed the news, Farenthold died on Friday, June 20.

Farenthold was elected to Congress in November 2010, winning the seat previously held by long-time Democratic congressman Solomon Ortiz.

"At the end of the campaign, many across the country called his win the biggest upset in the nation," said political consultant Steve Ray. Ray shared some of Farenthold's political and personal history with KRIS 6 News. Blake's step-grandmother, democrat Francis Sissy Farenthold, endorsed her far more conservative grandson for the position.

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June 19, 2025      5:32 PM

With the backing of Abbott but facing headwinds with grassroots conservatives, Sen. Hancock launches bid for Texas Comptroller

The governor tries to sidestep his own legal opinion by avoiding directly appointing Hancock as comptroller. Abbott slams Huffines for losing his Texas Senate seat to a Democrat; Huffines says “The political elite are manipulating the system to install another go-along-to-get-along lap dog as State Comptroller” and Commissioner Craddick says she’s in it to win it

Just how nasty will the Republican primary for Texas Comptroller be?

Well, on the day that Sen. Kelly Hancock – who turned in a letter of resignation from the Senate yesterday – began a new job at the Office of the Comptroller, Gov. Greg Abbott slammed candidate Don Huffines as a loser and Huffines shot back that the “The political elite are manipulating the system to install another go-along-to-get-along lap dog.” Meantime, Railroad Commissioner Christi Craddick reacted by saying it doesn’t matter who else gets in, she’s not backing down.

Y’all ready for this? Here we go.

The rest of the story, subscribers only

By Scott Braddock

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June 19, 2025      9:07 AM

Dick Trabulsi retires from TLR

Meantime board members Alan Hassenflu and Joe Popolo stepped down and Ryan Dumais is promoted to VP of Operations.

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June 18, 2025      1:29 PM

Katy area man feels he was set up in investigation into threats against Texas lawmakers

Leroy Bowers was held over the weekend in the Fayette County Jail after he was pulled over by DPS near La Grange. He was not charged.

The man who was held in the Fayette County Jail over the weekend, but never charged, spoke to KTRK ABC 13 TV in Houston:

The Katy-area man at the center of a threat investigation involving lawmakers at the Texas capitol is sharing his side of the story with ABC13.

Robert Leroy Bowers was arrested near La Grange, as he and his wife were driving to the "No Kings" Protest in Austin on Saturday. He was booked into the Fayette County Jail and then released after a 48-hour hold, records show. The 45-year-old is now speaking out, claiming he was falsely accused and wants the incident investigated further.

"My life is upside down," Bowers said. "I don't have a telephone. I'm scared of going back and forth to work. Is some vigilante going to say, 'They did nothing, so I'll do something.'"

Bowers says he was on State Highway 71 when he was pulled over. He says a DPS trooper stopped him for driving 81 in a 75 mph zone, then informed him he was under arrest for not having a front license plate. The roadside ordeal lasted more than three hours, he says, and it became clear it was not only about traffic violations.

Full story here.

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June 18, 2025      12:47 PM

After a decade in court, criminal fraud charges against AG Paxton dropped following completion of community service

That's per his attorney in Houston Dan Cogdell. As originally reported, Paxton also had to take legal education and pay restitution. He never admitted any criminal wrongdoing in the case

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June 18, 2025      12:28 PM

Fort Bend County Judge KP George switches to the GOP

Fighting for his political life: Judge George's Democratic support has completely dried up after multiple indictments. He announced his party switch flanked by former Harris County GOP Chairman Jared Woodfill

Judge George was indicted on money laundering charges earlier this year. Late last year, he was charged with misrepresentation of identity. Per Houston Public Media, Judge George was accused of working with former staffer Taral Patel to create fake racist attacks against his own campaign on social media.

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June 18, 2025      12:25 PM

Sen. Hancock now expected to resign from the Texas Senate to work at Office of the Comptroller before taking the reins

Hat tip to Bloomberg reporter in Austin Ryan Autullo for reporting out some of the details earlier today. Hancock's resignation could come as soon as today

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June 17, 2025      3:51 PM

Trump pollster finds Texas GOP voters oppose THC ban by double digits

Via the pollsters at Fabrizio, Lee & Associates:

The polling data reveals troubling signs for the GOP's electoral prospects, with Republican voters opposing Governor Abbott signing SB3 into law by a significant 44% to 31% margin. This internal party division could prove costly in future elections, particularly as Republicans have traditionally relied on unified support from their base.

The political damage extends beyond Governor Abbott, with the hemp ban making voters less favorable toward the Texas State Legislature by a devastating 51-point margin. Among voters aware of the ban, 57% report being less favorable toward the Legislature, while only 6% view it more favorably — a nearly 10-to-1 negative ratio.

You can check out the full poll right here.

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June 16, 2025      6:38 PM

Listen: Texas Republicans don't seem thrilled about a special session on redistricting but the Trump White House may pressure them into it

On KFYO radio, Quorum Report Editor Scott Braddock and host Chad Hasty discuss the possibility that Gov. Abbott will call a special session aimed at sending more Texas Republicans to Congress. Listen below.

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June 16, 2025      4:29 PM

More special session chatter as pro life groups ask Abbott to call one to crack down on abortion pills

Add that to this mix: Gov. Abbott told the Harris County GOP over the weekend that a special session including a proposed ban on taxpayer funded lobbying could be coming up. Meantime, two GOP congressmen tell QR that after last week's delegation meeting about a special on redistricting, they expect that it will happen. Developing...

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June 16, 2025      12:07 PM

Sen. Hancock releases campaign bio video that does not mention running for Texas Senate

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