Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas: Acting Texas Comptroller Kelly Hancock is asking Attorney General Ken Paxton for legal cover to exclude private schools with ties to CAIR or China from the state's new private school voucher program: https://www.houstonchronicle.com/politics/texas/article/paxton-islamic-schools-vouchers-21257343.php The recently-unsealed divorce records between Paxton and his soon-to-be-ex-wife State Senator Angela Paxton reveal full blame for the divorce f...
Dec 23, 2025•9 min
Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas: New Quinnipiac University polling paints a dismal picture for Donald Trump - but also dissatisfaction among Democrats with their own party: https://www.kvue.com/video/news/politics/texas-this-week/new-polling-shows-voters-intentions-ahead-of-2026-midterm-elections-texas-this-week/269-51e19d7c-319b-40df-8408-11c9ffdba478 ...Trump's lack of discipline and expertise may be the undoing of his own efforts to establish an American authoritarian r...
Dec 22, 2025•10 min
As we wind down another wild week, we recap the news and prepare for the upcoming holiday break. In an era when conservative Christians are weaponizing Christmas into a culture war cudgel, what deeper meaning can progressive folks take away from the Nativity story? We dive in for our regular Friday hang. Thanks for listening! Learn more about Progress Texas and how you can support our ongoing work into this crucial upcoming election year at https://progresstexas.org/ ....
Dec 19, 2025•32 min
Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas: The U.S. House of Representatives closes down for the holiday after passing a Republican healthcare bill that does not protect ACA subsidies - all Texas Republicans voted for it, and all Texas Democrats voted no: https://www.texastribune.org/2025/12/19/texas-republicans-congress-health-care-obamacare-subsidies-2026-midterms/ ...Less unity among Texas House Democrats, however, as both Henry Cuellar and Vicente Gonzalez voted for and facilita...
Dec 19, 2025•10 min
Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas: That list of over two thousand "potential noncitizens" flagged as being possible illegally registered immigrants on Texas' voter roll includes dozens who have recently proven their citizenship to Texas DPS: https://www.texastribune.org/2025/12/18/texas-voter-roll-citizens-investigation/ ...Austin State Rep. Gina Hinojosa holds a commanding lead for the Democratic nomination to take on Governor Greg Abbott in November, while the race for att...
Dec 18, 2025•9 min
What a terrific time at BOTH of our 2025 holiday parties! The second, in Dallas, went down at the awesome People's Last Stand in Mockingbird Station on Monday night and, like our Austin celebration, saw a record crowd come out for a great live talk with Austin State Rep. and gubernatorial candidate Gina Hinojosa, Austin State Rep. and candidate for Texas Lieutenant Governor Vikki Goodwin, Texas Attorney General candidate Joe Jaworski, and outgoing House Democratic Campaign Committee Chair and Ho...
Dec 17, 2025•38 min
Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas: The Texas Democratic Party's effort to fill every state and federal race on the 2026 ballot represents the very first time that either party has done so in state history: https://www.texastribune.org/2025/12/17/texas-democrats-down-ballot-2026/ Texas DPS has continued compiling a list of transgender Texans while refusing to explain what it's for: https://www.kut.org/politics/2025-12-15/texas-trans-transgender-drivers-license-id-list-privacy...
Dec 17, 2025•10 min
Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas: Fort Worth Congressman Marc Veasey has withdrawn his run for Tarrant County Judge, leaving Tarrant County Commissioner Alisa Simmons the presumptive Democratic nominee to face Republican incumbent Tim O'Hare: https://www.texastribune.org/2025/12/15/marc-veasey-withdraws-from-tarrant-county-judge-race-2026/ Governor Greg Abbott intends to invest over a quarter of his war chest - about $25 million - into an effort to turn Houston and Harris C...
Dec 16, 2025•9 min
Former Dallas Congressman Colin Allred's pivot from a second run for the U.S. Senate is only one of the results of the late-breaking announcement of a Senate run by fellow Dallas lawmaker Jasmine Crockett last week. Allred is now in a primary contest with Congresswoman Julie Johnson, interestingly the official who replaced Allred upon his departure from the U.S. House as he challenged Senator Ted Cruz in 2024. We're glad to accommodate Congressman Allred's request to join us and share his perspe...
Dec 15, 2025•33 min
Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas: The likelihood of a major swing back away from the Donald Trump GOP in Texas, especially among Latino voters, is casting doubt on the prospects of the new congressional map benefiting Trump in the way he had intended: https://www.cnn.com/2025/12/14/politics/texas-redistricting-gop-latinos?cid=external-feeds_iluminar_msn ...While they're grossed out by Henry Cuellar's recent pardon by Trump, it appears likely to play to Democrats' electoral ...
Dec 15, 2025•9 min
We say this every week...but, what a week! The crew gathers for our weekly offload session at the end of the week following the 2026 filing deadline to discuss turncoat Democrats, the new plan to force Turning Point USA into ALL Texas high schools, and the upcoming Democratic primary - headlined of course by " Jasarico "! Our heads, as always on a Friday afternoon, are fully aspin. Thanks for listening! Learn how to support Progress Texas and our ongoing work at https://progresstexas.org/ ....
Dec 13, 2025•35 min
Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas: Analysis of the contrast between the approaches of Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett and State Rep. James Talarico deepens and is shaping the parameters of the primary contest between them: https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2025/12/jasmine-crockett-james-talarico-texas-senate-primary-democrats-future.html ...Also, Crockett's strategy to mobilize and grow the Democratic base comes into contrast with the more traditional strategy of inter-part...
Dec 12, 2025•9 min
Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas: For the first time in half a century, Democrats are on the ballot in every single state, federal and judicial election in 2026: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zEYSRjVXZb4 ...The National Democratic Party and the House Democratic Campaign Committee are zeroing in on five potential State House seats to flip: https://www.texastribune.org/2025/12/10/texas-house-legislature-election-2026-national-democrats/ ...Lone Star Left projects runoffs in...
Dec 11, 2025•9 min
Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas: The Democratic primary contest between Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett and State Rep. James Talarico for the nomination for the U.S. Senate takes center stage in Texas following the filing deadline: https://www.texastribune.org/2025/12/09/jasmine-crockett-texas-senate-democratic-primary-turnout-persuasion-2026/ ...A bombshell NOTUS report says that the National Republican Senatorial Committee is behind manipulative polling and covert digital...
Dec 10, 2025•11 min
Terrific time on Monday night at the first of our two 2025 holiday parties - Antone's in downtown Austin has become a bit of an HQ for us and we're proud to have enjoyed the biggest crowd we've had there yet! Enjoy our talk with Austin State Senator and newly-filed Texas Comptroller candidate Sarah Eckhardt, San Antonio State Senator Roland Gutierrez, and Austin City Council Member Zo Qadri. Our second holiday party this year happens in Dallas on Monday December 15, featuring another live podcas...
Dec 09, 2025•45 min
Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas: As the filing deadline expires, the full picture of the primaries in the 2026 elections are set, including as expected, a Senate run for Dallas Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/12/08/us/colin-allred-senate-texas-primary.html ...A battle is brewing between Colin Allred and Rep. Julie Johnson, who are now Democratic primary opponents for CD 33: https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/politics/elections/colin-allred-files...
Dec 09, 2025•8 min
Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas: On the final day of election filing, presumed Senate candidate Colin Allred has announced a pivot to a run for House District 33, in which he will be a primary challenger for Congresswoman Julie Johnson: https://www.texastribune.org/2025/12/08/colin-allred-drops-out-senate-democratic-primary-congress-33rd-district-dallas/ ...CD 33 is currently represented by Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett, who is widely expected to announce a run for Senate...
Dec 08, 2025•8 min
Never a dull week in Texas, but we've managed to narrow yet another crazy Texas political news cycle down to three items: the 100% partisan decision by the U.S. Supreme Court to block a lower court ruling and allow the racist, Trump-demanded gerrymander of Texas to very likely be in place for next year's mid-terms, the inexplicable but somehow fitting pardon of Laredo Congressman Henry Cuellar by Trump, relieving Cuellar for accountability under suspicion of international corruption, and the imp...
Dec 05, 2025•29 min
Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas: As expected, the U.S. Supreme Court has stayed the 2-1 lower court decision to block the racial gerrymander of Texas, paving the way for the new map Donald Trump ordered to be in place for the midterms: https://www.texastribune.org/2025/12/04/texas-redistricting-map-us-supreme-court-2026-midterms/ ...It's time for Democrats and progressives to get familiar with the new map, both for your own voting purposes and for bringing the fight to the...
Dec 05, 2025•9 min
Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas: Donald Trump's pardon of Henry Cuellar on conspiracy and bribery charges is curious in that it strengthens Cuellar's reelection chances , just as the Trump-ordered new map changes CD-18 for stronger GOP performance: https://www.houstonchronicle.com/politics/texas-take/article/trump-help-texas-democrat-cuellar-2026-21221113.php ...Cuellar was accused of intervening on the behalf of Azerbaijan in Congress, while living lavishly on the proceed...
Dec 04, 2025•8 min
Rural Texas used to have a robust Democratic presence, and thus its fair share of Democratic officeholders - of course, that hasn't been the case for decades, since the coordinated campaign efforts of the early '90s. But there ARE still progressive people living in MAGA country, and the four courageous Texans featured on today's talk have stepped up to give ALL rural Texas voters a better option in 2026. Learn more about Diana Luna at https://www.facebook.com/61580017416028/ . Learn more about ...
Dec 03, 2025•38 min
Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas: Dallas Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett, long thought to be considering jumping into the race for the U.S. Senate, has scheduled an announcement for Monday afternoon: https://www.texastribune.org/2025/12/02/jasmine-crockett-senate-texas-allred-talarico/ ...Multiple progressive thought leaders in Texas point out the issues with a Crockett candidacy - including an overstacking of the most influential Democratic players in a single race, and the...
Dec 03, 2025•8 min
Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas: As the 2025 congressional map looks more likely, so does a Senate run for Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett - leading to fears of division among Texas Democrats: https://www.cbsnews.com/texas/video/texas-2025-maps-hang-on-scotus-stay-as-rep-jasmine-crockett-weighs-senate-run/ ...Austin State Rep. and declared Senate candidate James Talarico continues to preach Democratic solidarity: https://www.texasobserver.org/james-talarico-big-tent-revival...
Dec 02, 2025•8 min
Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas: With no word from the U.S. Supreme Court coming last week on the Texas congressional map, most players are resigned to the idea that the 2025 map will be in place for the 2026 midterms: https://www.cbsnews.com/texas/news/u-s-supreme-court-texas-redistricting-case-extend-administrative-stay/ ...With Democratic redistricting wins in several other states, the new map is unlikely to give Donald Trump the edge he had in mind: https://abcnews.go....
Dec 01, 2025•8 min
It's helpful to occasionally step back and ask ourselves: what is it exactly about our morals, and values, and expectations, and hopes and dreams that makes us progressive people? The PT crew sits down to mull that thought for this Thanksgiving weekend. See the full list of priorities in our Certified Progressive Program at https://progresstexas.org/blog/certified-progressive . Thanks for listening and happy Thanksgiving! Learn more about Progress Texas and how you can support our ongoing work a...
Nov 28, 2025•29 min
Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas: Texas Democratic Party Chair Kendall Scudder from Forbes Breaking News: https://youtu.be/dUxt8drC2lE?si=Rq1LZkuXv1MCqe-t ...The call on the Texas map could come from the U.S. Supreme Court by the end of Thanksgiving week, as SCOTUS also wrestles with several other voting rights cases: https://thehill.com/regulation/court-battles/5622226-texas-redistricting-supreme-court/ ...Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act appears to be on shaky ground: h...
Nov 26, 2025•10 min
Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas: The response from the plaintiffs against the new Trump-ordered congressional map of Texas came yesterday in the form of an argument against the applicability of the Purcell doctrine, which in normal situations discourages courts from making decisions that alter impending elections: https://www.newsweek.com/samuel-alito-texas-election-map-supreme-court-challenge-11100706 Governor Abbott's recent penchant for capitulation and submission to Tr...
Nov 25, 2025•9 min
Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas: With SCOTUS Justice Sam Alito's stay on the El Paso court panel's decision against the Trump map, a full decision of the Supreme Court is next - and could take long enough to end the discussion for the midterms: https://www.elpasotimes.com/story/news/politics/2025/11/22/us-supreme-court-samuel-alito-grants-stay-in-texas-redistricting-lawsuit/87412332007/ ...The State invoked the "Purcell principle" in its application to Alito, which discour...
Nov 24, 2025•9 min
A guest episode here of an interview done with Progress Texas Podcasting Director Chris Mosser on the podcast The Progressive South and its leader Jesse Mayshark on what Progress Texas is, how we do what we do, and importantly WHY we do what we do. Thanks for the invitation Jesse! Learn more about The Progressive South at https://theprogressivesouth.org/ . Thanks for listening! Learn more about Progress Texas and how you can support our ongoing work at https://progresstexas.org/ ....
Nov 23, 2025•35 min
Since we recorded this episode, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sam Alito has placed a temporary stay on the El Paso ruling against the new Texas congressional map and requested that the plaintiffs respond by the end of Monday, putting the 2025 map back into play for the moment: https://www.texastribune.org/2025/11/21/texas-redistricting-supreme-court-temporary-stay/ That Dallas Observer poll we discuss - we say dig in on both the political discussion AND the can-shaped cranberry sauce: https://www.d...
Nov 22, 2025•21 min
