Special 8 Day Out Update

Nov 1, 2023 | Campaign Finance

The special election for the Texas State House District 2, scheduled for November 2nd, is in the spotlight with the release of the latest 8-day-out campaign finance reports by the Texas Ethics Commission. These reports, covering the period from September 29th to...

Watson, the Once and Future Mayor, Defeats Israel

Dec 13, 2022 | Campaign Finance, Campaign News

Former Mayor and former Sen. Kirk Watson (D-Austin) won Austin’s mayoral runoff, 50.4%-49.6%, over Rep. Celia Israel (D-Austin), a margin of 886 votes. Watson’s margin of victory came from the pockets of Austin outside Travis Co. He received 62% of the nearly 3,600...

Abbott, O’Rourke Empty Wallets As Republicans Dominate Down Ballot

Nov 1, 2022 | Campaign Finance

Statewide and legislative candidates facing general election opposition reported raising $47M and spending north of $72M during the monthlong period covered by the latest campaign finance reports. Gov. Greg Abbott (R) and Democratic challenger Beto O’Rourke’s...

Turnout, Congressional Fundraising Well Below 2020 Levels

Oct 27, 2022 | Campaign Finance, Campaign News

Early voting continues for the November 8 general election. Just over 1.6M Texans have voted early in person (1.4M) or by mail (200K) through yesterday (Wed.), the third day of the early voting period, according to preliminary numbers reported by counties to the...

South Texas Races Draw Most Congressional Campaign Cash

Oct 15, 2022 | Campaign Finance

Congressional candidates on the general election ballot raised $19M and spent nearly $16M during the third quarter, according to October quarterly reports that were due today (Sat.). The total represents a more than $24M drop from the same period in 2020, even after...

Abbott, O’Rourke Dominate 30-day-out Fundraising Results

Oct 12, 2022 | Campaign Finance

The governor’s race towers above all others when it comes to raising and spending money this election season. Gov. Greg Abbott (R) and challenger Beto O’Rourke (D) accounted for a staggering 70% of all contributions received and 76% of all expenditures made by...

O’Rourke, Abbott, Patrick Set Records in Latest Fundraising Period

Jul 17, 2022 | Campaign Finance

Note: This report has been updated to reflect significant changes to originally reported figures by Atty. Gen. Ken Paxton’s campaign. The governor’s race (Likely R) is taking the oxygen out of the room, accounting for 65 cents out of every dollar contributed to...

Abbott, Major PACs Provide $1M+ in ‘Late Train’ Contributions

May 22, 2022 | Campaign Finance

Runoff candidates who receive more than $1,890 from a single source on or after May 15 must disclose those contributions in daily pre-election reports (formerly known as telegram reports). These “late train” contributions typically come from a handful of major donors...

Runoff Candidates Raise More Than $17M for Final Push

May 17, 2022 | Campaign Finance

State candidates facing runoffs were required to file their runoff campaign finance reports yesterday (Monday). These reports disclose contributions received and expenditures made between February 10 and May 14. Most reports were available online today (Tuesday), and...

Cisneros Collects Nearly 60% of Congressional Runoff Contributions

May 13, 2022 | Campaign Finance, Campaign News

Early voting for the May 24 runoff election begins Monday. Congressional candidates facing runoffs were required to file their pre-runoff campaign finance reports yesterday (Thursday). These reports disclose contributions received and expenditures made between April 1...

Cuellar, ‘Not a Target’ in Fed Probe, Out-raised by Runoff Rival

Apr 17, 2022 | Campaign Finance, Campaign News

U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-Laredo) is “not a target” of a federal investigation that included an FBI raid on his home and campaign headquarters earlier this year, according to his attorney. The raid occurred less than a month before early voting began for the March...

History Repeats Itself: Top Fundraisers Dominate Open-seat Primaries

Mar 3, 2022 | Campaign Finance

We have analyzed historical campaign finance data and election results since 2006 to see how open-seat candidates fared in significant primary races based on their relative fundraising ranks. Unsurprisingly, we found a strong correlation between fundraising rank and...

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Texas Political Spotlight
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Gov. Greg Abbott has ordered a statewide freeze on new H-1B visa applications at Texas public universities and state agencies. In the Democratic race for lieutenant governor, steelworkers union leader Marcos Vélez is gaining traction with major labor backing and fresh scrutiny over fundraising ties linked to Texas Majority PAC as the primary nears. Lastly, Abbott says the White House is developing a plan to “recalibrate” ICE enforcement after fallout in Minnesota, as Texas simultaneously weighs billions more for Operation Lone Star and its ongoing border strategy.

We hope you enjoyed today’s read!

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Texas Political Spotlight
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Texas is facing a pivotal legal test over its election system as Republicans seek to end open primaries, a move that supporters frame as protecting party autonomy and critics warn could create new barriers to voter participation. At the same time, federal officials are considering a land exchange that would allow SpaceX to expand its South Texas launch site, renewing debate over how to balance economic growth with the preservation of sensitive wildlife habitat along the Gulf Coast. Lastly, a federal judge has blocked a new Texas law regulating children’s access to app stores, underscoring the ongoing uncertainty over how far states can go in policing online safety without infringing on constitutional rights.

We hope you enjoyed today’s read!

Stay connected with TXLege News on X and LinkedIn!

#44 - Hope Osborn: Building Community for Women in Texas Politics with Pink Granite
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Welcome to Episode #44 of Bills & Business. In this episode, Laura Carr, Co-Founder of USLege, sits down with Hope Osborn, Co-Founder of The Pink Granite Foundation.

Hope brings more than a decade of experience across the Texas Capitol, having worked in both chambers, both parties, and in the advocacy world. She shares the story behind The Pink Granite Foundation and how it has grown into a nonpartisan force for uplifting, connecting, and supporting women in Texas politics. From its grassroots beginnings to the impact of the 2025 Pink Granite Party, Hope provides an inside look at how the organization strengthens the political ecosystem.

Laura and Hope explore the nonprofit’s mentorship programs, year-round community-building efforts, and the unique pressures women face working under the dome. Hope offers insight into why women’s leadership in politics matters, how to break down persistent barriers, and what the future looks like for the next generation of female leaders in Texas policymaking.

Don’t forget to subscribe to Bills & Business on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube for more deep dives into Texas policy and business news.

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Texas Political Spotlight
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Welcome back, friends,

Gov. Greg Abbott has ordered a statewide freeze on new H-1B visa applications at Texas public universities and state agencies. In the Democratic race for lieutenant governor, steelworkers union leader Marcos Vélez is gaining traction with major labor backing and fresh scrutiny over fundraising ties linked to Texas Majority PAC as the primary nears. Lastly, Abbott says the White House is developing a plan to “recalibrate” ICE enforcement after fallout in Minnesota, as Texas simultaneously weighs billions more for Operation Lone Star and its ongoing border strategy.

We hope you enjoyed today’s read!

Stay connected with TXLege News on X and LinkedIn!

Texas Political Spotlight
This is some text inside of a div block.

Welcome back, friends

Texas is facing a pivotal legal test over its election system as Republicans seek to end open primaries, a move that supporters frame as protecting party autonomy and critics warn could create new barriers to voter participation. At the same time, federal officials are considering a land exchange that would allow SpaceX to expand its South Texas launch site, renewing debate over how to balance economic growth with the preservation of sensitive wildlife habitat along the Gulf Coast. Lastly, a federal judge has blocked a new Texas law regulating children’s access to app stores, underscoring the ongoing uncertainty over how far states can go in policing online safety without infringing on constitutional rights.

We hope you enjoyed today’s read!

Stay connected with TXLege News on X and LinkedIn!

Texas Political Spotlight
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Michael and Susan Dell’s unprecedented $6.25 billion pledge to expand federal “Trump Accounts” aims to boost long-term savings for 25 million American children. In Lubbock, Texas Tech’s new classroom restrictions on race, gender identity, and sexuality have ignited an immediate clash over academic freedom and curriculum control. And in Northeast Texas, Rep. Gary VanDeaver’s decision not to seek reelection opens a pivotal Republican primary.

We hope you enjoyed today’s read!

Stay connected with TXLege News on X and LinkedIn!