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July 12, 2025      1:11 PM

During Texas trip President Trump reportedly discussed appointing Paxton as US Attorney General to shakeup GOP Senate primary

Under increased MAGA pressure to dismiss AG Bondi over Epstein files, a potential plan could come together to make Paxton AG, changing dynamics in Texas Senate race

From the item in Mediaite by Sarah Rumpf:

It’s well known that “John Cornyn refuses to let a scumbag like Ken Paxton sit in Sam Houston’s Senate seat,” the source said, but Paxton wasn’t content to just remain as the Texas AG.

So how to get Paxton out of the way?

The solution, according to the source, was for Trump to get rid of Bondi, Paxton to drop out of the Senate race, Trump to nominate Paxton for AG, Cornyn to announce he was retiring, and Hunt to announce he was running for Senate — in a now-open seat, not challenging an incumbent.

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July 11, 2025      4:29 PM

Rep. Toth files paperwork to challenge Congressman Crenshaw

Toth's launch party's slated for next week in Montgomery County

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July 11, 2025      12:44 PM

Former Tarrant County Commissioner and Southlake Gary Fickes has died

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July 11, 2025      11:43 AM

Texas Tech University System Chancellor Tedd Mitchell announces he will retire at the end of the year

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July 11, 2025      9:09 AM

Braddock: The show must go on

My involvement in the Texas Take podcast has come to a close but new things are on the horizon here at QR. Thanks to all of you for reading and listening over the years

“Welcome to the show,” Mr. Kronberg said with a smile many years ago when I had just started as a contract writer for Quorum Report during the 2013 session. A battle over cracking down on payday lenders had just gone sideways on then-Sen. John Carona and the debate – back when those were allowed in the Senate – had been entertaining to say the least.

It was during those early years that I first started my working relationships with so many of you and I learned just how special and important the community in and around the Texas Capitol truly is.

A few years later in 2015, Harvey promoted me to Editor of this publication. Hard to believe it’s been a decade, right?

Somewhere in all of it, the bosses at the Houston Chronicle asked if I would partner with them to create a Texas politics podcast. At first, I thought I was simply going to help them get it started and then the Chronicle folks would take it over. But instead, I led the Texas Take podcast to become the number one politics podcast in this state over the course of the last decade alongside my work here at QR. I appreciate that so many QR readers have also enjoyed the show each week. Funny how our little show took on a life of its own, but something's changed.

The rest of the story, subscribers only

By Scott Braddock

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July 11, 2025      7:59 AM

AG Paxton raised nearly 3 million in his bid for US Senate, per his campaign

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July 10, 2025      12:40 PM

Sen. Angela Paxton files for divorce from AG Ken Paxton

Story first reported by KUT's Lauren McGaughy

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July 9, 2025      3:49 PM

Abbott announces special session agenda

Flooding issues, redistricting, banning taxpayer “funded lobbying,” and more

The list is here via the Office of the Governor.

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July 9, 2025      2:58 PM

Republicans promote a poll showing Rep. Crockett leading Allred in a hypothetical bid for US Senate nomination

This item appeared in the conservative publication The Daily Caller:

Democratic Texas Rep. Jasmine Crockett is the preferred candidate among Texas Democratic voters to run for Senate in 2026, according to recent polling.

Crockett leads a hypothetical primary field with 35% of likely Democratic voters, followed by former Democratic Texas Rep. Colin Allred at 20%, former Presidential candidate Beto O’Rourke and Rep. Joaquin Castro tied at 13%. Just 18% of voters said they were undecided about their preferred nominee to challenge Republican Texas Sen. John Cornyn, who is seeking his fifth Senate term.

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July 8, 2025      4:37 PM

Abbott says 161 now missing after Hill Country floods while the death toll hits 109

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July 8, 2025      11:01 AM

Randall County GOP chairman arrested for alleged election fraud

The news via ABC 7 Amarillo:

The Chairman of Randall County Republican Party is accused of election fraud. Kelly Giles was indicted June 25 and booked into the Randall County Jail on Monday. According to the indictment, Giles "falsely certified on the Texas Candidate Filing System that his application and nomination petition were legally compliant for place on the 2024 Republican Primary Ballot for Randall County Republican Party Chair."

Giles was first appointed to the position in May 2023 by the County Executive Committee. He was re-elected on March 5, 2024.

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July 8, 2025      10:58 AM

Rep. Talarico is the next guest on the Joe Rogan show

He sat down with Rogan recently and the show is set to drop today

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July 8, 2025      8:53 AM

Keller Mayor Armin Mizani announces for SD 9 this morning

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July 6, 2025      4:31 PM

Texas House lawmakers from both parties work to support those affected by the Hill Country floods

Rep. Patterson joined with Speaker Moody, who said “Tragedy isn’t partisan, & neither is helping our fellow Texans….there are hurts that money can’t fix, but this is one part of easing what burdens we can."

The Kerr County Flood Relief Fund can be found here. Depending on your browser, you may have to right click and open in a new tab.

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July 6, 2025      3:16 PM

Special session agenda item to be added to improve disaster response in rural areas

Meantime Abbott told reporters today “We have a special session coming up and the way to respond to this is something the special session will address"

As Suzanne Bellsnyder at points out at Texas Rural Reporter, legislation meant to bolster disaster response in small communities died in the Texas Senate this year:

One of the bills, HB 13, would have established the Texas Interoperability Council, which would be responsible for developing, coordinating, and governing emergency communications equipment and infrastructure statewide, and administering grants to assist local governments in acquiring emergency communications and expanding their emergency communications infrastructure.

HB 13 passed the House overwhelmingly but died in the Texas Senate without ever receiving a hearing. A handful of legislators in the House voted against HB 13, including Representative Wes Virdell, District 52, who represents Kerr County in the Texas Legislature. Kerr County is ground zero for this week’s tragedy, and this bill would have provided funding to counties like Kerr to purchase sirens or other emergency alert equipment, which might have provided the warning the communities needed to avoid the massive loss of lives.

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