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May 13, 2026 4:15 PM

The Patricks pile on Chip Roy down the stretch in GOP AG runoff

“The last time Chip Roy worked in the Texas Attorney General’s office, he was escorted out of the building," Patrick said, one month after scolding fellow Republicans for negative campaigning

The dynamic father and son duo of Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and Texans for Lawsuit Reform CEO Ryan Patrick on Wednesday promoted their support for Sen. Mayes Middleton, R-River Oaks, for Attorney General.

One was nicer about it than the other.

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By Scott Braddock

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May 13, 2026 4:11 PM

Progressive Caucus Chair Casar endorses moderate Democrat in runoff for the new CD 35

He told the Express-News in SA: “I'm a progressive Democrat. Johnny has been endorsed by the more conservative Blue Dogs. But we can all agree that he's the candidate who can win this race.”

The scoop from reporter Bayliss Wagner at the Express-News:

U.S. Rep. Greg Casar on Wednesday endorsed Johnny Garcia in the Democratic primary runoff for the 35th congressional district, breaking his silence on the race to replace him. Casar, who chairs the U.S. House Progressive Caucus, is the biggest name yet to put his weight behind Garcia, a moderate “Blue Dog” Democrat and Bexar County sheriff’s deputy. It comes after his opponent, Maureen Galindo, was accused by fellow Democrats of using antisemitic rhetoric. In an exclusive interview with the Express-News on Wednesday, Casar said he trusts Garcia can unite “progressives, moderates and independents” to keep the seat blue.

“Johnny Garcia can unite working people to win in November,” Casar, D-Austin, said, without mentioning Galindo. “I'm a progressive Democrat. Johnny has been endorsed by the more conservative Blue Dogs. But we can all agree that he's the candidate who can win this race.”

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May 12, 2026 6:14 PM

Chair Frank files class action lawsuit against Blue Cross Blue Shield

The suit, which comes as Rep. Frank leads legislative hearings into health care affordability, alleges Blue Cross misrepresented the actual cost of prescription drugs to the plan while receiving undisclosed rebates and driving up costs

Editor’s note: A copy of the suit can be downloaded by subscribers at the bottom of the story – SB

Just as a series of legislative hearings gets underway looking into health care affordability, the Chair of the Texas House select committee on that is now also taking Blue Cross Blue Shield to court alleging fraud in the administration of group health benefits.

Rep. James Frank, who also employs 175 people in private business, filed the class action lawsuit in Dallas County. His attorney on this is powerhouse trial lawyer Mikal Watts.

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By Scott Braddock

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May 12, 2026 5:37 PM

Commissioner Miller blasts Gov. Abbott over refusal to consider a gas tax suspension

After a spokesman for Abbott dismissed the idea of a gas tax holiday, Miller said “Why can’t the Governor follow President Trump’s lead and do right by working Texans?”

Here’s Miller’s statement in full:

“Texans have watched Governor Abbott repeatedly pick and choose when and how to wield executive authority over the years, whether through emergency declarations, disaster powers, regulatory actions, or suspending certain rules and regulations when it suited his priorities. The question Texans are asking is simple: if executive authority can be used aggressively in other situations, why wouldn’t every available tool be used right now to help hard working families being crushed by high fuel prices? Contrary to his statement today, the Governor should know that the state doesn’t even collect property taxes, so he couldn’t suspend those taxes if he wanted to.

Since I first called for this tax relief, four states have followed suit, and President Trump himself has said he intends to suspend the federal gas tax. Why can’t the Governor follow President Trump’s lead and do right by working Texans?

Texans are tired of the Austin crowd that suddenly becomes powerless whenever real Texans need relief. Funny how the Governor’s executive authority always seems available for everything except giving taxpayers a break.

I’ll keep fighting for lower costs and real relief for Texas families whether that makes the political insiders uncomfortable or not.”

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May 12, 2026 5:22 PM

Former President Obama visits Austin to campaign with Representatives Hinojosa and Talarico

The flash from the New York Times this afternoon:

Former President Barack Obama appeared with James Talarico in Austin, Texas, on Tuesday, aiming to boost the rising Democratic star in his uphill bid to flip a U.S. Senate seat in the reliably Republican state.

The appearance, at a restaurant across from the University of Texas, was part of Mr. Obama’s effort to elevate a new generation of Democratic leaders as the party heads into the 2026 midterms, a highly competitive year for control of the U.S. House and, potentially, the U.S. Senate.

Mr. Obama arrived at the restaurant, Taco Joint, and met with Mr. Talarico and Gina Hinojosa, a Democratic state representative challenging Greg Abbott, who is running for a fourth term as governor. “Do you know our outstanding next governor and senator?” Mr. Obama said as he went from table to table introducing himself to patrons who appeared to be fans of the former president — some shocked to see him — and members of Ms. Hinojosa and Mr. Talarico’s staff and immediate family.

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May 12, 2026 11:29 AM

Kronberg says anti-Muslim push by Republicans may seriously backfire in suburban Texas

On Texas Capital Tonight, QR Publisher Harvey Kronberg and host James Barragan got into that and the fact that the long knives are fully out now in the GOP US Senate runoff

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May 11, 2026 10:31 PM

Veteran Texas GOP pollster Chris Perkins finds that Republican voters are showing serious signs of disengagement this cycle

"Historically reliable GOP voters are showing signs of disengagement, either sitting out this cycle or, in some cases, shifting their partisan affiliation entirely."

Subscribers can download the analysis from veteran Republican pollster Chris Perkins at Ragnar Research.

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May 11, 2026 3:50 PM

Texas House Public Education Committee drills down on proposed rule for added security officers for extracurricular events

Rep. Frank, among others, took issue with the very idea of an agency mandating something like this when it isn’t spelled out in the law: “A recommendation? Great. A best practice? Great. Requirement? No.”

As they looked at the broader education picture in the state on Monday, Texas House Public Education Committee members questioned a proposed Texas Education Agency rule that they say financially squeezes school districts already strapped for cash.

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By James Russell

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May 11, 2026 3:46 PM

Updated: Talarico praises President Trump for pushing a suspension of federal gas tax, Cornyn now says he is open to it

Talarico slams Cornyn’s for debt argument: “Were you worried about the deficit when you gave $1 trillion in tax cuts to the top one percent?” Cornyn shifts, says he’s open to discussion of temporary suspension to get through this “bumpy time.”

Editor’s note: Sen. Cornyn spoke to reporters about this Monday evening in DC. The story is updated to include his new comments – SB

With gas prices rising during what’s becoming a protracted conflict in the Middle East, US Senate Democratic nominee James Talarico took a moment to praise President Donald Trump’s new push to suspend federal gas taxes. He also called on Texas’ senior senator to join with the president on that and appeared to move the needle with Sen. John Cornyn.

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By Scott Braddock

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May 11, 2026 10:56 AM

Rove warns the US House GOP majority may be endangered despite redistricting war advantage

As for long term consequences: “You could in essence take, you know, like here in Texas, take big cities, which are typically Democrat, and split them up among several sort of suburban and rural Republicans and thereby reduce their margin and make them more vulnerable in an election year.”

Via Mediaite

Fox News’ Karl Rove warned that the country’s malaise may doom the GOP’s House majority during a Sunday evening chat with Trey Gowdy...

“All right, Mr. Rove, there were more Democrats in Congress before Jim Clyburn’s seat was drawn. I actually worked for the federal judge that was on that three-judge panel,” mused Gowdy. “Is there a chance these new maps win the battle but lose the war? I mean, if you get too cute by half, is there a chance that it could backfire?”

“Oh, sure. You could in essence take, you know, like here in Texas, take big cities, which are typically Democrat, and split them up among several sort of suburban and rural Republicans and thereby reduce their margin and make them more vulnerable in an election year. Same thing could happen in the South, where you take these large, Blacks-dominated cities like New Orleans, or rural areas like in South Carolina that are dominated by Blacks, and who are traditionally Democrat voters, and split them up into several different Republican districts and make things more problematic in a swing year. You know, nothing ever plays out exactly in politics as we think it does."

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