Texas consistently ranks near the bottom when it comes to voter turnout — but why? In this episode of Party Politics , co-hosts Brandon Rottinghaus and Jeronimo Cortina dig into the numbers behind Texas’ low voter turnout and explore the many factors that shape how, when, and whether people cast a ballot. TOPICS:Why eligible voters aren’t registering. The unique challenges young voters face. How accessibility and ID laws impact participation. What communities and creatives can do to inspire civi...
Jun 20, 2025•27 min
This week on Party Politics, co-hosts Brandon Rottinghaus and Jeronimo Cortina explore the growing pains and political pressures shaping Texas as it marches toward its bicentennial in 2036. From population explosions and housing crises to water shortages and shifting demographics, the Lone Star State is facing some big questions about its future.TOPICS:Population growth challenges.Why affordable housing is slipping out of reachWater depletion.Demographic shifts in TexasPolitics of immigrationSil...
Jun 13, 2025•27 min
It’s shaping up to be a busy — and politically loaded — summer. On this episode of Party Politics , co-hosts Brandon Rottinghaus and Jeronimo Cortina dig into the big headlines and behind-the-scenes dynamics shaping U.S. politics this season. TOPICS: Which bills could land on the Governor Abbott's desk — and which might get vetoed The status of the federal budget battle in Congress The latest in U.S. tariff disputes and global trade tensions Supreme Court cases to watch as rulings roll out Possi...
Jun 06, 2025•27 min
This week in politics on Party Politics, hosts Brandon Rottinghaus and Jeronimo Cortina discuss the dynamics shaping the 89th Texas Legislature, if the state’s top Republican leaders—Governor Greg Abbott, Lt. Governor Dan Patrick, and House Speaker Dustin Burrow— are working together, or working around each other, the overlap—and tensions—between Texas’ executive and legislative branches, the core values driving the Texas GOP this session, controversial bans being pushed by Republicans—and the p...
May 30, 2025•27 min
This week in politics on Party Politics, hosts Brandon Rottinghaus and Jeronimo Cortina discuss how President Biden’s prostate cancer diagnosis has reignited questions about his legacy and the 2024 race, the Supreme Court tackling major immigration cases that could reshape national policy. They also discuss Donald Trump re-entering the spotlight—fresh off receiving a $400 million private jet—and his push to Congress to pass the “Big Beautiful Bill". Down in Texas, the House passed both a bail re...
May 23, 2025•27 min
On this week's episode of Party Politics, hosts Brandon Rottinghaus and Jeronimo Cortina break down the balance of power in American government — then and now. Are checks and balances still doing their job? Is the judiciary truly independent, or too partisan? And just how far can presidential power go? A conversation about the shifting dynamics at the heart of our political system.TOPICS:Separation of powers then and nowThe modern political systemAre checks and balances working?Checking the powe...
May 16, 2025•27 min
On this week’s episode of Party Politics, hosts Brandon Rottinghaus and Jeronimo Cortina discuss why the first 100 days of a presidency are important, the grade President Trump should receive for the first 100 days, why Trump has chosen to use so many executive orders to govern, if Trump can continue to govern using social media as one of his biggest tools, how effective has the implementation of DOGE been for the Trump administration, and the relationship between Trump and the Judiciary branch....
May 09, 2025•27 min
On this week's episode of Party Politics, hosts Brandon Rottinghaus and Jeronimo Cortina discuss a decline in economic growth under President Trump, trade in the United States amid Canadian election results, democrat Senator Dick Durbin retiring, Trump 2028 hats appearing online, Trump backing Texas GOP members who back the school vouchers, bipartisan support for an update to the current Texas abortion ban, the Freedom Caucus' impact on the legislature, Beto O’Rourke hinting at a potential senat...
May 02, 2025•27 min
On this week’s episode of Party Politics, hosts Brandon Rottinghaus and Jeronimo Cortina discuss the fluctuating market amid tariffs, United States Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has texts leaked from the Signal App for a second time, if the Freedom Caucus has been successful, the impact of Governor Greg Abbott’s school voucher bill, Texas Senate passing the film incentive bill with a stipulation that would require films to be of Texas morals and values in order to receive funding, Texas Lott...
Apr 24, 2025•27 min
This week, Co-hosts Brandon Rottinghaus and Jeronimo Cortina discuss the White House Deportation Fight, President Joe Biden is back with a speech about social security, Vice President JD Vance breaks Ohio State's NCAA Football Championship trophy, the stakes for Governor Greg Abbott's voucher bill, who President Trump will endorse in the John Cornyn and Ken Paxton U.S. Senate race and other state and local politics.NATIONAL TOPICS:White House deportation fight.Biden is back.Vice President JD Van...
Apr 18, 2025•27 min
This week, Co-hosts Brandon Rottinghaus and Jeronimo Cortina discuss the significant spiral of the economy following the announcement of President Trump's newest tariffs, if Congress will pass the budget or go into a shutdown, Attorney General Ken Paxton announces his campaign against Senator John Cornyn, Don Huffines and Christi Craddick announce their campaign for Texas Comptroller, Governor setting Congressional District 18 election for November 4th, democrats calling for Fort Bend County Jud...
Apr 11, 2025•27 min
This week, Co-hosts Brandon Rottinghaus and Jeronimo Cortina discuss new tariffs implemented by President Trump of at least 10 percent or higher to for certain countries, the impact of special elections in Wisconsin and Florida, Trump's pursuit of a third term, the possibility of Christian Menefee suing Texas Governor Greg Abbott due to the delay in a special election to fill the late congressman Sylvester Turner's congressional district 18 position, Kendall Scudder being named the new Democrati...
Apr 04, 2025•27 min
This week, Co-hosts Brandon Rottinghaus and Jeronimo Cortina discuss the implications of a war plan leak occurring from the Editor and Chief of the Atlantic Jeffrey Goldberg being added to a 'Signal' group chat which included Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, Vice President JD Vance, National Security Advisor Michael Waltz. Our hosts also discuss if the the Department of Education dismantled, Senator Ted Cruz funding school voucher advertisements, controversy between Rep. Jasmine Crockett and T...
Mar 28, 2025•27 min
This week, Co-hosts Brandon Rottinghaus and Jeronimo Cortina discuss Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer's Continuing Resolution vote upsetting democrats, President Trump resurfacing an 18th c. immigration policy, the potential for a Constitutional crisis, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and Congressman Wesley Hunt prepare to run against Senator John Cornyn in 2026, the growing opposition to gaming in Texas, Governor Greg Abbott's new act aimed at 'furry culture', the future of Congressional ...
Mar 21, 2025•27 min
This week, Co-hosts Brandon Rottinghaus and Jeronimo Cortina discuss political scandals, if scandals still shape the opinion of voters, their impact on the careers of politicians, and how they can be used to mobilize political bases.TOPICS:Does scandals still matter?Do politicians still have shame?Do voters think about scandals?How scandals mobilize the political base.Implications of scandals.Should we bring back shame for political scandals?The cultural shift of scandals.How local government ha...
Mar 14, 2025•27 min
This week, Co-hosts Brandon Rottinghaus and Jeronimo Cortina discuss the passing of Former Houston Mayor and Congressman Sylvester Turner, President Trump's first address to a joint session of Congress, ramifications of Trump Tariffs, and Lt. Governor Dan Patrick desire to change the name of the New York Strip steak to the Texas strip Steak and other national and state politics.NATIONAL TOPICS:President Trump makes his first address to a joint session of congress.Democrats show their discontent ...
Mar 07, 2025•27 min
This week, Co-hosts Brandon Rottinghaus and Jeronimo Cortina discuss the Texas Lottery scandal, the possibility of the school voucher bill passing, destination gaming coming to Texas, President Trump's upcoming address to the joint session of Congress, and other national and state political news.NATIONAL TOPICSThe House of representatives passes the budget resolution.President Donald Trump to address at joint session of Congress.Federal Election Commission dismisses case against Senator Ted Cruz...
Feb 28, 2025•27 min
This week, Co-hosts Brandon Rottinghaus and Jeronimo Cortina discuss President Trump seeking to restore relations with Russia, Vice President JD Vance's comments at a recent AI Summit, the state of United States and Europe relations, budget wars at the capitol, 17 Department of Justice who resigned over an order to drop New York City Mayor Eric Adams' corruption case, the potential 2026 race between Attorney General Ken Paxton and Senator John Cornyn, Webb County Judge Tano Tijerina gearing up t...
Feb 22, 2025•27 min
This week, Co-hosts Brandon Rottinghaus and Jeronimo Cortina discuss Elon Musk and his son X holding a press conference in the Oval Office alongside President Trump, Trump's implementation of a 25% tariff on steel and aluminum, the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) targeting the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), Trump's refusal to acknowledge Vance as the next presidential candidate, Government Gregg Abbott seeking to recoup $11 billion spend on border security through Projec...
Feb 13, 2025•27 min
This week, Co-hosts Brandon Rottinghaus and Jeronimo Cortina discuss Trump's newest trade wars, how democrats are effecting change, big budgets in the Texas House of Representatives and Senate, an update on school vouchers and Governor Greg Abbott's State of the State Address.NATIONAL TOPICSThe trade wars continue.How are democrats effecting change?TEXAS TOPICSMajor Texas House of Representatives and Senate Budgets.School voucher update.Governor Greg Abbott's State of the State Address.In additi...
Feb 07, 2025•27 min
This week, Co-hosts Brandon Rottinghaus and Jeronimo Cortina discuss the short-lived trade war with Colombia, Trump's firing of Inspector Generals, the federal funding pause, this week's controversial nominee hearings, if voters are satisfied with Trump's presidency so far, Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller rehiring of former aide Todd Smith who pleaded guilty to bribery, the new rules for the Texas House of Representatives and Governor Greg Abbott's upcoming State of the State Address.N...
Jan 31, 2025•27 min
This week, Co-hosts Brandon Rottinghaus and Jeronimo Cortina discuss Donald Trump's return to the White House, a look at Trump's first 100 days, Texas delegation's influence on Trump's presidency, implementation of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), and what is president Joe Biden's legacy.NATIONAL TOPICS:Donald Trump's return to office.Trump's first 100 days.Implementation of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).President Joe Biden's Legacy.TEXAS TOPIC:The Texas delegatio...
Jan 23, 2025•27 min
This week, Co-hosts Brandon Rottinghaus and Jeronimo Cortina discuss how Trump's legal battles play into his transition to president, an update on the Senate confirmation hearings, what Texas will do with its new budget surplus, and the battle for the Texas Speaker race coming to a close with Rep. Dustin Burrows as the victor.NATIONAL TOPICS:Donald Trump's legal woes.Senate hearings underway.TEXAS TOPICS:New Texas budget surplus.Burrows announced Texas Speaker of the House.In addition to the You...
Jan 17, 2025•27 min
This week, Co-hosts Brandon Rottinghaus and Jeronimo Cortina discuss the republicans choosing a new Speaker of the House of Representatives, what to expect from the upcoming Trump presidency, the dynamics of the 2025 Texas Legislature, how Governor Abbot and Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick plan to work with the Texas House of Representatives and will gambling finally come to Texas.NATIONAL TOPICSGOP chooses speaker the new Speaker of the House.Preview of Trump Presidency.TEXAS TOPICSTexas legisl...
Jan 10, 2025•27 min
This week, Co-hosts Brandon Rottinghaus and Jeronimo Cortina discuss how the United States is more polarized than ever, why polarization is at an all-time high, the connection between partisan behaviors and social media, political resentment and anxiety, the implications of polarization and possible solutions.TOPICS:The United States is more politically polarized than ever.Why is polarization at an all-time high?The connection between partisan behavior and social media.Political resentment and a...
Dec 20, 2024•27 min
This week, Co-hosts Brandon Rottinghaus and Jeronimo Cortina discuss the implications of Syria's collapse on Biden's presidency and Trump's upcoming presidency, Cabinet pick Tulsi Gabbard's controversial connection with Bashar al-Assad, TX Lt. Governor Dan Patrick's desire to band THC, Texas House Democrats electing Gene Wu as Caucus Chair, and the latest on the Texas Speaker race.NATIONAL TOPICS:The implications of Syria’s collapse on Biden’s presidency and Trump’s upcoming presidency.Cabinet p...
Dec 13, 2024•27 min
This week, Co-hosts Brandon Rottinghaus and Jeronimo Cortina discuss President Joe Biden's pardon of his son Hunter Biden, President-elect Donald Trump's Texan cabinet nominees and his potentially troublesome nominees, the final congressional election results for Congress showing a slim GOP lead, Governor Greg Abbott's threat to pull funding for Texas Children's Hospital over a doctor's TikTok, and an update on the Texas Speaker's race.NATIONAL TOPICS:After final election results, GOP holds a sl...
Dec 06, 2024•27 min
This week, Co-hosts Brandon Rottinghaus and Jeronimo Cortina discuss early history of border politics, how immigration is linked with the economy, why America's immigration system is broken, the U.S. Senate killing a potential solution to immigration in 2018, and how Texas' border issues have become nationally potent political issues.NATIONAL POLITICSThe potent political issue of the border.Immigration and its links to the economy.Why is the immigration system broken?Senate kills the 2018 Immigr...
Nov 29, 2024•26 min
This week, Co-hosts Brandon Rottinghaus and Jeronimo Cortina discuss Elon Musk and President- elect Donald Trump's visit to Texas, Trump's plan to declare mass deportations a national emergency, the end game to Trump's nominees, restructuring of the Democratic party on the national and state levels and Governor Greg Abbott's executive order to combat Chinese espionage.NATIONAL TOPICSElon Musk and President- Elect Donald Trump visit Texas.Trump to declare national emergency to deploy mass deporta...
Nov 22, 2024•27 min
his week, Co-hosts Brandon Rottinghaus and Jeronimo Cortina discuss Donald Trump's appointments for his upcoming second term, what an immigration plan may look like with the new presidential term, Trump's push for U.S. Senate to allow recess appointments, who will be the next Texas Speaker of the House, and the over a thousand new bills filed by Texas lawmakers ahead of 2025.NATIONAL TOPICSPresident Elect Donald Trump begins 2nd term appointments.The reality of a new immigration plan for America...
Nov 15, 2024•27 min
