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Governor Abbott has called a high-stakes special session packed with issues ranging from flood response to redistricting, abortion, and THC regulation, just weeks after deadly storms swept Central Texas. Meanwhile, Sen. Angela Paxton announced her divorce from Attorney General Ken Paxton amidst a heated US Senate GOP primary. Lastly, in Boca Chica, SpaceX’s newest project is drawing attention from environmental advocates worried about its impact on coastal dunes.

Today’s Insights:

• Governor Abbott Officially Sets Special Session Agenda

• Sen. Angela Paxton Announces Divorce from Attorney General Ken Paxton Amidst Heated US Senate GOP Primary

• Space X Set To Build Liquid Oxygen Plant in South Texas

Governor Abbott Officially Sets Special Session Agenda

Governor Greg Abbott has called Texas lawmakers back to Austin for a July 21 special session with an 18-item agenda including issues such as natural disaster preparedness, abortion restrictions, THC regulation, and congressional redistricting. The top four items address the catastrophic flooding across Central Texas that left over 100 people dead and more than 160 still missing. Abbott is urging swift action to improve early warning systems and emergency communications, and to provide financial support for flood-impacted areas. “We must ensure better preparation for such events in the future,” the governor said while visiting Kerr County, one of the hardest-hit regions.

While flood response dominates the immediate urgency, the governor's agenda also reopens contentious debates that stalled during the regular session earlier this year. These include efforts to eliminate the STAAR test, limit abortion access, particularly regarding medical abortion, and regulate hemp-derived THC products without imposing a full ban. Abbott’s recent veto of a GOP-led THC ban signaled a more measured approach focused on potency limits potential regulation. At the same time, he is calling for legislation to “further protect unborn children and their mothers,” in what could become another high-profile ideological fight at the Capitol.

Perhaps the most politically consequential item is mid-decade redistricting. Abbott cites constitutional concerns raised by the U.S. Department of Justice, but critics, including Texas Democrats and advocacy groups, argue the effort is designed to redraw key districts in favor of Republicans ahead of the 2026 elections. Civil rights groups have also raised concerns about the inclusion of legislation to “protect women’s privacy in sex-segregated spaces,” interpreting it as a revival of what critics referred to as "bathroom bills". With lawmakers convening for up to 30 days, and the possibility of additional sessions, Texans can expect legislative action for a while.

Sen. Angela Paxton Announces Divorce from Attorney General Ken Paxton Amidst Heated US Senate GOP Primary

Sen. Angela Paxton announced Thursday she is filing for divorce from her husband, Attorney General Ken Paxton. In her statement, the McKinney Republican said she had “earnestly pursued reconciliation,” but that recent discoveries made continuing the marriage untenable. The couple have long been prominent figures in Texas politics, with Angela Paxton holding the Senate seat her husband once occupied. Ken Paxton attributed the separation to the “pressures of countless political attacks and public scrutiny.”

The announcement comes as Ken Paxton mounts a high-profile primary challenge against U.S. Sen. John Cornyn.

Space X Set To Build Liquid Oxygen Plant in South Texas

Cameron County commissioners have approved a construction permit allowing SpaceX to build an air separator facility near the sand dunes of Boca Chica Beach, a decision that has sparked environmental concerns among local residents. The facility—described as a compact industrial plant with 20 structures on 1.66 acres—will separate nitrogen and oxygen from the air to support rocket launches, reducing the need for over 200 truck deliveries per launch from Brownsville. Although SpaceX agreed to mitigation measures and shifting construction further inland to minimize dune disruption, critics remain skeptical, citing limited public input and concerns over the project's impact on vegetation and wildlife. The permit requires SpaceX to restore or replace any damaged dunes, with enforcement authority resting with the Texas General Land Office.

“I think that it’s clearly true today how the government of Cameron County is kind of falling over to please SpaceX”

- Bill Berg, Save RGV

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Today’s News

TX-18

Former Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner released a partial endorsement list for his TX-18 bid, which includes Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher, State Representatives Senfronia Thompson, Harold Dutton, Jolanda Jones, and Alma Allen, and Texas Coalition of Black Democrats Chair Dr. Candice Matthews. Prior to serving eight years as Houston’s Mayor, Turner served as a Representative for 27 years in the Texas House. Democratic leaders in Harris County will nominate and select a replacement candidate for the TX-18 seat on Aug. 13.

House races

In an interview with CBS News Texas, Gov. Greg Abbott said that “Republicans are going to pick up several Democrat House seats in this election cycle that will add to the number of people who will be voting in favor of school choice.” He specified that he expects Republicans to flip three seats: HD 70 (currently held by Rep. Mihaela Plesa), one seat in the Corpus Christi area, and HD 80 (currently held by retiring Rep. Tracy King). Although Abbott did not specify, the Corpus Christi district he is referring to is HD 34, whose seat is being vacated by retiring Democratic Rep. Abel Herrero. The candidates for the HD 34 general election are Democrat Solomon Ortiz and Republican Denise Villalobos.

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Welcome to TXElects Election Updates!

We bring you the latest candidate filings, campaign finance information and more for all candidates running for statewide, legislative and congressional offices.

Today’s News

Senate Race

Democratic Harris Country District Attorney Kim Ogg endorsed Sen. Ted Cruz over his Democratic challenger Colin Allred. Ogg said in a statement, “No case has spotlighted our crime problem and shaken our city more poignantly than the brutal murder of 12-year-old Jocelyn Nungaray who was tragically murdered by two undocumented Venezuelan nationals who were captured crossing the border illegally, but were released from federal custody. Had Senator Cruz’s Justice for Jocelyn Act been the law today, Jocelyn would be alive.” Ogg recently co-authored an op-ed with Cruz and promoted the Justice for Jocelyn Act at at press conference with Cruz.

Cruz launched a “Democrats for Cruz” group earlier this year to highlight his work across the aisle. He said of its members: “These leaders deeply understand Texans' needs and values, and they know that Colin Allred's radical progressive policies, whether on the border, public safety, or economy, will push Texas back, not forward.”

HD 118

Bexar County Republicans have said that they plan to challenge the eligibility of Democrat Kristian Carranza, challenger to incumbent Republican Rep. John Lujan. Bexar Country GOP Chairman Kris Coons said in an email that they will “provide evidence that Kristian scratched out her real birth name Thompson on an official government document and replaced it with Carranza – a name she has never held until deciding to move into the district to run for office.”

Carranza responded on X: “This is an obvious attempt to undermine me and my story because they can clearly see that the voters of HD 118 are ready for change and ready for someone who’s going to roll their sleeves and fight for them, not stand on the sidelines like John Lujan has. They just can’t believe that that person is a young Latina.” We have the race rated as Toss Up.

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