Texas Take

The first and probably only presidential debate between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris is in the rearview mirror and quite a few issues emanating from Texas were front and center: Immigration, abortion, oil and gas production, and more. Plus, Sen. John Cornyn is making his pitch to lead Senate Republicans. And an obvious attempt to suppress the votes of college students in North Texas fails after a bipartisan vote against it. Join the conversation with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There's finally a debate breaking out in the US Senate race in Texas featuring Sen. Ted Cruz and Rep. Colin Allred arguing over who's the bigger champion for the business community and jobs in this state. Jeremy spoke with both candidates. Plus, a Texas Democrat leaves the party for the GOP. It would be a bold move if it didn't seem like nothing but sour grapes after Democratic voters showed her the door in the primary. Join the conversation with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

But, it sure seems like it's about Texas. Abortion, gun violence, and immigration: Texans and Texas issues were front and center for much of the DNC in Chicago this week. We break it all down for you in this special edition of the show. Join the conversation with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

President Biden is out and Vice President Kamala Harris has secured the Democratic presidential nomination. What does a Donald Trump vs. Kamala Harris race look like this fall? Does this change anything in Texas? And what does this mean for other key 2024 races including Rep. Colin Allred challenging Sen. Ted Cruz? Houston Chronicle columnist Joy Sewing joined Jeremy Wallace and Scott Braddock for a special live event hosted by Hearst Newspapers across Texas last week. Hundreds tuned in for that but for Texas Take's regular listeners, here's a podcast version. Enjoy and let us know what you think. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Many parents and teachers around Texas were angry this week as kids returned to school at the very same time that the future of education in this state was once again up for debate at the Capitol in Austin. Plus, former Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner won the "insiders race" to succeed Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee in Congress. Jeremy was in the room for that and has a full report. And there was a meltdown on Harris County Commissioners Court when Judge Lina Hidalgo lashed out at fellow Democrats for "disrespect." Join the conversation with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For the second week in a row, national Democrats have made Texas the setting for the race for the White House. In Houston, VP Harris fired back at former President Trump after he said she "happened to turn Black" and in Austin President Biden proposed sweeping changes to the Supreme Court. We've sort of got an update on the race for Texas House speaker. Plus, why does Dan Patrick have a new nickname for Speaker Dade Phelan? Join the conversation with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A reset race for the White House begins in Texas: During her first week as the newly-minted presumptive Democratic standard-bearer, Vice President Kamala Harris hit the ground running in Houston to check on the city in the aftermath of a hurricane and to pump up teachers gathered in H-Town. Jeremy was there and has a full report. Plus, Little Gov. Dan Patrick has some thoughts on "the man behind the curtain" pulling the strings in the Democratic Party. Join the conversation with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, Jeremy reports from the RNC in Milwaukee where Gov. Greg Abbott and Sen. Ted Cruz played their part in the "Unity" convention of Donald Trump, which ended up being more divisive than perhaps any convention in recent American history. Plus, the remembrances were flowing in overnight after Houston Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee passed away Friday night. Join the conversation with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As much as President Biden is struggling politically in the weeks after his disastrous debate performance, he was still able to get the best of one Republican: Gov. Greg Abbott, who abandoned Texas in the leadup to a hurricane causing a slower response than usual after Beryl knocked out power to millions amid a heatwave. Plus, Attorney General Ken Paxton claims he's about to be impeached again. What? Join the conversation with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

More than a week after a disastrous debate performance, the White House and the campaign of President Joe Biden have not been able to calm the fears of Democrats who now believe he is not up to the challenge of campaigning against former President Donald Trump. As a public service, Jeremy reviews what other potential Democratic nominees have said about Texas and what they've said in Texas. Plus, Gov. Greg Abbott is leaving the country right as a tropical system is in the Gulf of Mexico and pointed at Texas. Join the conversation with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Democrats in Texas and around the nation are having a collective freakout after the debate performance of President Joe Biden against former President Donald Trump in Atlanta. Plus, Republicans are pointing to the murder of a Houston 12 year old to advance their case for more border security. But, didn't they just turn down a border security crackdown earlier this year? Join the conversation with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, something a little different: Scott was in San Antonio to appear on our friend Gilbert Garcia's PBS show on KLRN Television in partnership with the San Antonio Express-News. Scott and Gilbert talked about the US Senate race in Texas, abortion politics, and one thing that has fundamentally changed about Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick during the course of his political career. Our usual show will return next week with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As Texas Democrats gathered in El Paso for their state convention, Republicans were quick to seize on the appearance of a drag queen on the same stage where women's reproductive rights were actually front and center. Sen. Ted Cruz and Rep. Colin Allred are now starting to trade jabs in their race for US Senate. And a lawmaker compares his quest to topple the Texas House speaker to the heroes at D-Day. Join the conversation with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"Bleach blonde bad built butch body!" It's now the phrase heard 'round the world after Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Dallas, smacked Rep. Marjorie Taylor Green around on Capitol Hill this past week. We'll get into it. Plus, we'll update you on the Republican Party of Texas Convention in San Antonio this weekend. Join the conversation with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gov. Abbott made national headlines this week for pardoning a man convicted in the brutal murder of a protester during a Black Lives Matter demonstration. Jeremy has the scoop on why Abbott is setting this precedent. Plus: A Texas Congresswoman gets into a fight with a colleague over "fake eyelashes." Yes, they are being just as productive in Washington as you think. Join the conversation with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Even after he held school funding hostage last year in a failed bid to pass a school voucher program, Gov. Abbott is blaming Texas school districts for their local budget shortfalls. We'll explain. Plus, Congressman Henry Cuellar faces federal charges of bribery, money laundering, and more. What does his reaction so far say about the state of our politics today? Join the conversation with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Texas runoff elections are now getting especially bitter and, frankly, tedious as we now have a little less than a month before election day. Speaker Phelan is fighting for his political life and the Texas House's inner workings are being debated by candidates from DFW to Beaumont-Port Arthur. Plus the GOP challenger to Congressman Tony Gonzales is on defense after telling a joke that he says he didn't tell about suicide among veterans while running for office in Military USA: San Antonio. Join the conversation with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gov. Greg Abbott is getting praise from the right and condemnation from the left - of course, exactly what he wants - after he appears to have set the stage for a standoff between pro-Palestinian protesters and state police at the University of Texas at Austin. Plus, Sen. Ted Cruz makes quite an about face on billions in aid for Ukraine in its war with Russia. Join the conversation with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The political environment has become so toxic that even when Republicans and Democrats work together to accomplish something, they still don't really want to be seen together. We'll explain. Plus, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick seems to be trying to get ahead of Gov. Greg Abbott's potential property tax proposals for the 2025 session of the Texas Legislature. Join the conversation with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Abortion policy is front and center as former President Trump and Sen. Ted Cruz argue it's an issue that should be handled differently in different states and Democrats point to Texas as the most extreme example of what happens when it's done that way. Plus, Greg Abbott takes New York City by storm acting as an unofficial surrogate for the Trump campaign. Join the conversation with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton this week was able to avoid a trial in his decade-long felony securities fraud case. How did that possibly happen? Plus, we set the record straight now that pro-school voucher groups are trying to refute our reporting on how Gov. Abbott and allied organizations were able to defeat fellow Republicans in the Texas GOP primary. Join the conversation with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Texas' new immigration crackdown is now being enforced as legal challenges to it this week gave legal whiplash to Republicans and Democrats alike. Plus, a speaker's race begins in Austin before the primary runoff elections have even been completed. Join the conversation with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gov. Greg Abbott significantly moved the Texas House in his direction on school vouchers during this week's GOP primary election. But the fight is far from over. "On to the playoffs!" said Abbott's chief political strategist, referring to the runoff elections including Speaker Dade Phelan's fight for political survival. Plus, Texas' abortion restrictions took center stage at President Biden's State of the Union address. Join the conversation with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sen. Ted Cruz recently dared President Joe Biden to head to the Texas border and what do you know? Mr. Biden was in Brownsville this week to go toe-to-toe with former President Donald Trump, who was in Eagle Pass on the same day. Plus, the Texas primary is nearly here and Republican candidates have taken off the gloves. Join the conversation with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In his fight for reelection, Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan this past week said "this is a war" and was joined at a Port Arthur rally by one of the biggest names in this state's GOP politics for backup: Gov. Rick Perry, who took a swipe at Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick. We were on the scene. Plus, Jeremy's got exclusive one-on-one interviews with the top Democrats running for a chance to take on Sen. Ted Cruz this fall. Join the conversation with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gov. Abbott is weaponizing his newfound celebrity status on border issues to go after Texas House Republicans who didn't vote with him 100 percent of the time last year. Plus, some Democrats are knifing each other in an increasingly nasty primary in North Texas. The show this week was recorded live before hundreds gathered from around the state at the Texas REALTORS® Winter Meeting. Join the conversation with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What a difference a week makes. After a fairly quiet opening of the campaign season, Gov. Greg Abbott is ramping up his offensive on the ground, targeting Texas House members who voted to kill his priority school voucher proposal. Plus, the Democrats running for US Senate from Texas clash in their first and likely only debate. Join the conversation with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton faces new questions and a Republican push to reopen his impeachment proceedings after his latest attempt to avoid answering questions under oath. Plus, Republicans are whipping people into a frenzy over the border while Democrats hope abortion rights can be a winning issue in the 2024 election. Join the conversation with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, the Department of Justice released its long awaited report on the shooting in Uvalde. Families of the victims are upset about the lack of police competence, of course, but beyond that they want to know why Texas still allows teenagers to purchase assault rifles. Join the conversation with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A winter storm moving through Texas this weekend brings back memories of the deadly cold in February of 2021, though there are key differences this time. Plus, Gov. Greg Abbott is roundly criticized for suggesting the only reason his administration is not shooting migrants along the Rio Grande is the feds would press murder charges. Join the conversation with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A new year begins with immigration and abortion in the spotlight as the campaign season heats up ahead of Texas' March primary leading toward the general election in the fall. Scott and Jeremy are ready to dig into it all as the show approaches what will be its 8th anniversary as the number one politics podcast in the Great State. Join the conversation with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The newest abortion battle shows just how far Texas is willing to go in enforcing some of the strictest anti-abortion laws in the nation. Plus, there might be new hope for an immigration and border security package in Washington. But we hear that all too often, don't we? Join the conversation with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Now that his nonstop push for a school voucher program has crashed at the Legislature, it appears Gov. Abbott is ready to move onto campaign against Republicans who voted against his top priority. Plus, the first Latina to be confirmed for one of the most powerful courts in America grew up as the daughter of migrant workers in West Texas. Join the conversation with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Texas Legislature and Gov. Abbott are in a place they've rarely, if ever, been: Lawmakers are telling Abbott "no" to one of his major policy proposals. Now his retribution tour on school vouchers can begin as long as he doesn't call them immediately into another pointless special session. Plus, Jeremy reports from events with Donald Trump in South Texas and VP Kamala Harris in Houston. Join the conversation with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The border crackdown in Texas is passing the Legislature right as Gov. Greg Abbott prepares to host former President Trump in The Valley this weekend. Plus, a crisis is temporarily averted in Washington while a GOP Congressman from Texas asks what his own party has done in DC this year. Hint: Not much. Join the conversation with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You can't make this stuff up: Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick's longtime conservative point man on border security broke with Texas Senate leadership this week to vote against the way Patrick and Gov. Greg Abbott want to crack down on immigration. You have to hear his compelling argument. Plus, the voucher bill advances at the Texas Capitol while public education supporters push back as hard as ever. Join the conversation with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The dysfunction at the Texas Capitol has become so intense that a Republican Legislature might not be able to send a "border security" bill to a Republican Governor. The governor's school voucher legislation is dead for now. Plus, Jeremy reports from Donald Trump's rally in Houston. Join the conversation with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Latino Democrats in the Texas House felt like they were told to "sit down and shut up" as they tried to push back on a sweeping state immigration crackdown that will impact people in their communities, whether documented or not. Plus, GOP infighting may lead to the end of a legacy project of former President George W. Bush: The fight against HIV/AIDS in Africa. Join the conversation with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The running feud between Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan exploded this week with Phelan asking Patrick to give up millions of dollars now tied to an anti-Semitic white nationalist and Patrick saying Phelan should resign. Join the conversation with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Under pressure from Fox News hosts and GOP activists, Gov. Abbott is making some changes to his plans for an upcoming special session that was going to be exclusively focused on school vouchers. Now he's adding immigration to the mix. Plus, Jeremy has a report on living conditions for our military that should make you sick. Join the conversation with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Now that the smoke is starting to clear from the impeachment trial of Attorney General Ken Paxton, Gov. Greg Abbott is already promising to summon lawmakers to Austin again for another special session. This time, his pet project of school vouchers is the topic. Plus, Paxton's revenge tour has begun. Join the conversation with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The end of the impeachment trial of Attorney General Ken Paxton seems to be the beginning of a new chapter in the Texas GOP's civil war. Plus, Gov. Abbott blasts the Castro brothers over the border and DC Republicans fight each other about a possible government shutdown. Join the conversation with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The historic impeachment trial of Texas AG Ken Paxton is, well frankly, putting some senators to sleep. But that doesn't make the allegations against Paxton less serious. We'll get into that plus an update on the floating border wall and a legendary Mexican rock band pays tribute to one of the victims of the Uvalde massacre. Join the conversation with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With the impeachment trial of AG Ken Paxton starting next week while court battles play out in Texas over hot issues like the border and LGBTQ rights, Jeremy says we should just call this episode "Law and Order." Done. Plus, has Sen. Ted Cruz gotten any better at just acting like a normal person? We'll check on that for you. Join the conversation with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Steve Bannon is promising to make some Texas GOP State Senators "famous" and go to war with them in primaries if they vote to remove Attorney General Ken Paxton. But does Bannon know Texas GOP voters better than former Gov. Rick Perry, who's now defending the impeachment? Plus: An update on the floating border wall and a tribute to a Texas politics legend who we lost recently. Join the conversation with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The prosecutors in the impeachment of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton are starting to reveal some of what they hope to present in the trial, including evidence of Paxton using burner phones and an Uber account using a fake name as ways to conceal his alleged extramarital affair. Plus, a Texas congressman is wrestled to the ground at a rodeo by police in Amarillo. Join the conversation with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With so much unsettled at the Texas Capitol, including the impeachment of AG Paxton and the fight over school funding and school vouchers, the politics of the state are reaching a boiling point. Meanwhile, Jeremy headed down to Eagle Pass, where Democrats confronted state police over "border security" tactics on the Rio Grande. Join the conversation with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The fight over Texas "border security" operations intensifies this week with Vice President Kamala Harris saying the Abbott Administration is acting in an "un-American" way. Abbott meanwhile is saying he'll happily see the DOJ in court after the feds moved forward with a federal lawsuit. Join the conversation with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Following reporting by the Houston Chronicle on the treatment of migrants at the Texas-Mexico border, the Department of Justice on Friday said they'll sue the Abbott Administration over the state's "security" measures along the Rio Grande. Join the conversation with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After a 7 month standoff, Republican leadership in Austin finally settled on their plan to offer property tax relief to Texans. Plus, Jeremy reports from the border on the fact that Texas' security efforts are often actually just getting in the way of Border Patrol. Join the conversation with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices