Welcome back, friends
A recent Morning Consult poll shows former President Donald Trump with a seven-point lead over Vice President Kamala Harris in Texas, while Sen. Ted Cruz holds a narrower three-point advantage over challenger Rep. Colin Allred in the U.S. Senate race. Following early voting, Cruz’s campaign released a closing ad targeting Allred on issues including transgender women in sports, border security, and inflation—a move suggesting Cruz’s team sees the race as close, in line with recent polling data. Meanwhile, Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump has filed a lawsuit in Texas against CBS, claiming deceptive editing in a "60 Minutes" interview with Harris. Additionally, Steve Cubstead, jury foreman in the 2003 Robert Roberson case, has voiced opposition to calls for a retrial, reaffirming the original conviction based on substantial evidence.
Today’s Insights:
- Recent Texas Polling in Presidential and Senate Races
- Trump Files Texas Lawsuit Against CBS Over Interview Editing
- Jury Foreman Speaks Out in Robert Roberson Case
Recent Texas Polling in Presidential and Senate Races
According to a recent Morning Consult poll conducted from October 22-31, 2024, among 2,120 likely voters in Texas, former President Donald Trump leads Vice President Kamala Harris 52% to 45% in the 2024 presidential race, marking a seven-point advantage. In the U.S. Senate race, Sen. Ted Cruz holds a narrower lead over Democratic challenger Rep. Colin Allred, with Cruz at 47% and Allred at 44%. Following early voting, where most ballots have already been cast, Cruz’s campaign released a closing ad that targets Allred on three issues: his support for allowing transgender women in women’s sports, his stance on border security, and the topic of inflation. Cruz’s decision to run this ad after early voting suggests his team views the race as close, aligning with recent polling data that shows a competitive contest.
See Cruz campaign video posted Brad Johnson on X
Trump Files Texas Lawsuit Against CBS Over Interview Editing
Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump has filed a lawsuit in the Northern District of Texas against CBS, alleging that a "60 Minutes" interview with Vice President Kamala Harris was deceptively edited to misrepresent her statements. The lawsuit claims that the broadcast altered Harris's responses, creating a misleading narrative that impacted public perception. Filed in a court with only one judge—a 2019 Trump appointee—the case was guaranteed to be heard by this judge. Trump’s legal team argues that CBS’s editing practices constitute defamation, seeking redress under Texas law for the perceived harm.
Jury Foreman Speaks Out in Robert Roberson Case
Steve Cubstead, the jury foreman in the 2003 Anderson County trial that convicted Robert Roberson of murdering his two-year-old daughter, Nikki Curtis, has publicly criticized recent efforts to push for a retrial. Cubstead emphasized that the jury’s decision was based on extensive evidence, including bruises on Nikki’s face and a fractured skull, rather than solely on the disputed "Shaken Baby Syndrome" theory. He recently re-engaged with the case after Roberson’s attorney visited him at home, attempting to persuade him to review the evidence again—a request he declined. Cubstead refuted claims by a former juror that the jury’s decision was based only on Shaken Baby Syndrome, calling such statements misleading.
We hope you enjoyed today’s read!
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#43 - Wes Benedict: Bridging Policy and Community with Texans for Reasonable Solutions
Welcome to Episode #43 of Bills & Business. In this episode, Laura Carr, Co-Founder of USLege, sits down with Wes Benedict, Grassroots Manager at Texans for Reasonable Solutions.
Wes brings years of advocacy experience and a steady, practical approach to community engagement. The conversation explores how Texas communities can navigate political tension, build cross-partisan coalitions, and create space for meaningful dialogue in an increasingly polarized environment.
They dive into the organization’s focus on key statewide issues including housing, infrastructure, water, and the evolving relationship between local and state governments. Wes breaks down why these policies matter for both everyday Texans and the business community, and how reasonable, bipartisan solutions can move conversations forward.
The episode closes with insights on how individuals can get involved, what success looks like in grassroots policy work, and what Texans should be watching as the special session unfolds.
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Texas Political Spotlight
Welcome back, friends
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!
Texas Political Spotlight
Welcome back, friends
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!
Texas Political Spotlight
Welcome back, friends
Texas voters approved one of the largest property tax relief packages in state history on Tuesday, raising the homestead exemption to $140,000 and granting new tax breaks for seniors, people with disabilities, and small businesses. In Austin, residents rejected Proposition Q, a plan to fund public safety, homelessness programs, and city facility initiatives through a property tax hike, forcing city leaders to rework the budget and brace for service cuts. Meanwhile, Bexar County voters narrowly passed Propositions A and B, greenlighting up to $311 million in tourism-funded support for a new downtown Spurs arena and upgrades to the Freeman Coliseum grounds.
We hope you enjoyed today’s read!
Texas Political Spotlight
Welcome back friends,
Former Vice President Dick Cheney, one of the most influential and controversial figures in modern American politics, has died at 84, remembered by former President George W. Bush as a “patriot” whose intellect and conviction shaped decades of U.S. policy. In Texas, the Education Agency announced a sweeping takeover of Fort Worth ISD, the state’s second-largest intervention, citing years of academic underperformance and plans to install new local managers. And in Washington, a United Airlines flight was evacuated after a bomb threat, prompting an FBI investigation that later found no explosives, allowing operations to resume safely.
We hope you enjoyed today’s read!
