Texas Take

The Texas Attorney General's race got a jolt this week as archconservative Congressman Louie Gohmert announced he's considering running against Trump-endorsed incumbent Ken Paxton in the GOP primary. Plus, some in the Texas GOP now have a new target for their anger: Big Bird. Yes, you read that right. Join the conversation featuring Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace. Support the show: https://offers.houstonchronicle.com/?offerid=125&origin=newsroom&ipid=podcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

From abortion to election laws, Texas and the United States are locking horns in court. Plus, retirements abound in the Texas Legislature just as the campaign season is set to kick off with candidates throwing their hats in the ring starting in about a week. Connect with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace. Support the show: https://offers.houstonchronicle.com/?offerid=125&origin=newsroom&ipid=podcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Why are Texas Republicans, including Gov. Abbott, embracing a chant that goes "Let's go Brandon"? Well, the answer actually informs just about everything happening in the state's politics at the moment. Plus the new Texas abortion law will be before the Supreme Court next week. Connect with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace. Support the show: https://offers.houstonchronicle.com/?offerid=125&origin=newsroom&ipid=podcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gov. Abbott racked up wins and losses in the finally-concluded special legislative session, including a big loss on vaccine mandates. Plus the new Texas Secretary of State is a Trump loyalist who tried to overturn the election last year. Connect with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace. Support the show: https://offers.houstonchronicle.com/?offerid=125&origin=newsroom&ipid=podcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Amid a flurry of issues in Texas politics as another special session careens toward its end, we thought it would be good to slow down a little and talk about potential long term consequences of some of the debates unfolding at the Capitol this year. Connect with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace. Support the show: https://offers.houstonchronicle.com/?offerid=125&origin=newsroom&ipid=podcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Even when a school shooting dominates national headlines after every parent's nightmare unfolded at a high school in North Texas, it only gets a passing mention from this state's leadership as they seek to focus attention on the border. Plus, women take to the streets of Texas to protest the state's new abortion law and Matthew Dowd starts taking some heat in his bid to be the Democratic nominee for Lieutenant Governor. Connect with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace. Support the show: https://offers.houstonchronicle.com/?offerid=125&origin=newsroom&ipid=podcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gov. Abbott finds himself between Trump and a hard place as he tries to placate the former president with elections audits and stiffer penalties for illegal voting. Will Trump withdraw his endorsement of the governor? Also, the new Texas abortion law has the attention of lawmakers in DC this week. Connect with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace. Support the show: https://offers.houstonchronicle.com/?offerid=125&origin=newsroom&ipid=podcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Both President Biden and Gov. Abbott are under fire from members of their own political parties over the crisis at the Texas-Mexico border. Plus, former President Trump now wants Abbott to push for a forensic audit of the Texas 2020 election. Hoo boy. Connect with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace. Support the show: https://offers.houstonchronicle.com/?offerid=125&origin=newsroom&ipid=podcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There's still at least one more special session of the Texas Legislature starting Monday, but we are already seeing the outlines of what campaign season in this state will look like in 2022: Abortion, guns, immigration, and more are on the agenda. Plus two Houston-area members of Congress who usually play nice with each other are now clashing on Capitol Hill. Connect with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace. Support the show: https://offers.houstonchronicle.com/?offerid=125&origin=newsroom&ipid=podcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Roe vs ...Who Knows? Under Texas' new 6 week abortion ban, enforcement will not be up to District Attorneys like it was decades ago when Dallas DA Henry Wade became the Wade in the landmark Supreme Court Case. The new law instead empowers anyone to file civil litigation against abortion providers, creating a more diffiulct patth to legal challenges. We'll explain. Plus, the year's second special session of the Texas Legislature has concluded. What's next? Connect with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace. Support the show: https://offers.houstonchronicle.com/?offerid=125&origin=newsroom&ipid=podcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After the Democratic quorum break and months of public fighting over the elections bill, it finally came to a head on the Texas House floor this week. Right out of the gate, Speaker Dade Phelan asked lawmakers to avoid the term "racism," and you can imagine how that played out. Plus, former Gov. Rick Perry made a sales pitch at the Texas Capitol that even rubbed some Republicans the wrong way. Connect with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace. Support the show: https://offers.houstonchronicle.com/?offerid=125&origin=newsroom&ipid=podcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gov. Greg Abbott this week announced he has tested positive for coronavirus just as he ramps up his fight against independent schools districts to prevent them adopting covid restrictions to protect children. Plus, the quorum break ends in the Texas House of representatives. Connect with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace. Support the show: https://offers.houstonchronicle.com/?offerid=125&origin=newsroom&ipid=podcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It has been a week of open defiance to Gov. Greg Abbott's orders banning cities, counties, and school districts from mandating masks and taking other precautions to contain the spread of coronavirus. Plus, a dramatic filibuster of the elections bill unfolded in the Texas Senate while Texas House Democrats continue to deny GOP leadership a quorum. Connect with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace. Support the show: https://offers.houstonchronicle.com/?offerid=125&origin=newsroom&ipid=podcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Republicans wish Texas House Democrats would get out of the way and stop blocking an agenda from moving forward in Austin while President Biden wants Gov. Greg Abbott to get out of the way of an effective response to coronavirus. Connect with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace. Support the show: https://offers.houstonchronicle.com/?offerid=125&origin=newsroom&ipid=podcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Even with covid cases on the rise in Texas, Gov. Greg Abbott is attempting to keep extra health measures from being implemented while he instead focuses on border security and rounding up immigrants. Meanwhile, Texas Democrats in Washington testified before Congress about the ongoing voting rights fight and their dramatic measures aimed at stopping elections legislation. Connect with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace. Support the show: https://offers.houstonchronicle.com/?offerid=125&origin=newsroom&ipid=podcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Texas House Democrats in Washington breaking quorum to stop elections legislation had their plans complicated by positive covid tests this past week. Meantime, Gov. Greg Abbott says he will absolutely not reinstate mask mandates despite rising cases of coronavirus. Connect with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace. Support the show: https://offers.houstonchronicle.com/?offerid=125&origin=newsroom&ipid=podcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Stalemate On this special edition of the show, Scott reports from Washington on the latest in the standoff between Texas House Democrats who fled the state to delay an elections bill and GOP leadership demanding they return. Connect with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report. Support the show: https://offers.houstonchronicle.com/?offerid=125&origin=newsroom&ipid=podcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this special edition of the show, Scott updates you on the developing story of Texas Democrats breaking quorum to try to block elections legislation from moving forward in Austin. Connect with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report. Support the show: https://offers.houstonchronicle.com/?offerid=125&origin=newsroom&ipid=podcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Texas lawmakers will convene in Austin again this week after Gov. Greg Abbott unveiled a lengthy list of mostly red meat topics for them to address in the first of what could be several special sessions. This happens as Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick moves away from some of the more controversial proposals in an elections bill that was killed by Democrats in the regular session. Connect with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace. Support the show: https://offers.houstonchronicle.com/?offerid=125&origin=newsroom&ipid=podcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gov. Greg Abbott hosted ex-President Trump in Texas this week and that went about like you'd expect. Jeremy traveled to the border to give you the real scoop. Plus, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and Abbott don't agree about doing more to address the state's electricity crisis. Connect with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace. Support the show: https://offers.houstonchronicle.com/?offerid=125&origin=newsroom&ipid=podcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With ex-President Trump on his way to Texas next week to visit the border with Gov. Greg Abbott, national Democrats including Vice President Kamala Harris and First Lady Jill Biden are here as well. We've got their trips covered plus there's now a crowded field as GOP challengers look to take down Texas AG Ken Paxton in the primary. Connect with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace. Support the show: https://offers.houstonchronicle.com/?offerid=125&origin=newsroom&ipid=podcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gov. Greg Abbott this week declared Texas will build a wall of it's own between this state and Mexico. But unlike ex-President Trump's original proposal, Texas taxpayers will have to pony up the starter cash. Plus, Texas Democrats traveled to DC to continue the fight for the right to vote. And Juneteenth is now a federal holiday, putting a huge smile on the face of a legendary civil rights activist from Fort Worth. Join the conversation featuring Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace. Connect with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace. Support the show: https://offers.houstonchronicle.com/?offerid=125&origin=newsroom&ipid=podcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With the Texas legislative session coming to a dramatic end, campaigns are already ramping up with Gov. Greg Abbott and others arguing that voters should reelect them based on the fact that ex-President Trump "likes me." Plus, Texas Democrats get an historic if temporary victory in killing a sweeping proposal to restrict voting. Connect with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace. Support the show: https://offers.houstonchronicle.com/?offerid=125&origin=newsroom&ipid=podcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Frustrated with the Texas House this week, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick demanded that Gov. Greg Abbott call an immediate special session to address "conservative priorities." Abbott immediately dismissed the suggestion as "pretty goofy." And as the legislative session winds down, big issues like elections, electricity, and more are still unsettled. Connect with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace. Support the show: https://offers.houstonchronicle.com/?offerid=125&origin=newsroom&ipid=podcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As the clock ticks down on the legislative session in Austin, the Texas House and Senate are in a war with each other over the legislative agenda. Plus, Attorney General Ken Paxton lashes out at Land Commissioner George P. Bush as one prepares to possibly challenge the other in the GOP primary. Connect with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace. Support the show: https://offers.houstonchronicle.com/?offerid=125&origin=newsroom&ipid=podcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As the Texas Legislature takes a hard right turn in the final weeks of its regular session, we examine the way ex-President Donald Trump is influencing legislators months after he lost the election. Plus, country artist Randy Rogers is teaming up with Texas legislators to save dance halls across the state. Connect with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace. Support the show: https://offers.houstonchronicle.com/?offerid=125&origin=newsroom&ipid=podcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The final weeks of the Texas Legislature's regular session are heating up with debates about fundamental voting rights, transgender athletes in schools, permitless carry of handguns, "defunding police," and more. Connect with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace. Support the show: https://offers.houstonchronicle.com/?offerid=125&origin=newsroom&ipid=podcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Texas House Democrats are asking the Department of Justice to monitor legislative proceedings in Austin after the way a GOP Chairman tried to rush passage of sweeping changes to voting laws in this state. We'll explain. Plus, an allegation of sexual assault rocked the Texas Capitol this week. Connect with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace. Support the show: https://offers.houstonchronicle.com/?offerid=125&origin=newsroom&ipid=podcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Stop us if you've heard this one: Gov. Abbott is trying to have it both ways on a controversial proposal supported by many grassroots Republicans. This time, it's the permitless carry of firearms bill that passed the Texas House and seems to be blocked in the Texas Senate. Plus a new poll shows actor Matthew McConaughey would beat Gov. Abbott in a head to head matchup. But, people should slow their roll on that. Connect with Scott Braddock and Jeremy Wallace. Support the show: https://offers.houstonchronicle.com/?offerid=125&origin=newsroom&ipid=podcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Why did the Texas Legislature go from narrowly focusing earlier in the year on COVID and the ice storm to now being a political red meat festival? That plus the latest on the voting rights fight at the Capitol. Connect with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace. Support the show: https://offers.houstonchronicle.com/?offerid=125&origin=newsroom&ipid=podcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The fight over voting rights in Texas was on the national stage this week as Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick traded barbs with some corporations and the Texas House started to move in a bit different direction from the Texas Senate on the issue. Plus former US House Speaker John Boehner has some choice words for Sen. Ted Cruz. Connect with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace. Support the show: https://offers.houstonchronicle.com/?offerid=125&origin=newsroom&ipid=podcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Democrats warned Republicans in Texas this week that the majority party is "kickin' a bear" and "waking up a beast" by trying to make it harder to vote in this state. We've got the latest on the fight over voting rights as well as the faux outrage over the border. Plus a congressional candidate from New Jersey by way of Nevada tries his luck in a Texas special election. Connect with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace. Support the show: https://offers.houstonchronicle.com/?offerid=125&origin=newsroom&ipid=podcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Texas Republicans were at each other's throats this week fighting over whether the government can retroactively change prices in the electricity market during the state's winter storm disaster. Gov. Greg Abbott in the meantime was doing his best to talk about anything other than the fallout from the ice storm, so he tried changing the subject to immigration and "election integrity." Connect with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace. Support the show: https://offers.houstonchronicle.com/?offerid=125&origin=newsroom&ipid=podcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Without consulting with his own top medical professionals, Gov. Greg Abbott this week dropped the mask mandate and said businesses can open 100 percent despite the fact the pandemic is still unfolding all around us. President Joe Biden called it "neanderthal thinking." Meantime, Texas lawmakers are rolling up their sleeves and getting down to work on the state's policy response to the ice storm that left millions without power or water. Connect with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace. Support the show: https://offers.houstonchronicle.com/?offerid=125&origin=newsroom&ipid=podcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Despite their political differences, Gov. Greg Abbott and President Joe Biden are together in Houston to survey damage and talk about ways to respond to the ice storm that knocked out power and put water supplies at risk for millions of Texans. Meantime, legislative hearings have begun into what went wrong with the state's power grid. And Sen. Ted Cruz cannot stop talking about his trip to Cancun during the big freeze. Connect with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace. Support the show: https://offers.houstonchronicle.com/?offerid=125&origin=newsroom&ipid=podcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gov. Greg Abbott this week didn't wait for the lights to come back on or for Texans to stop dying in the freezing cold before he lashed out at the proponents of the Green New Deal. But after that went over like a lead balloon, Abbott did move in the direction of substantive policy changes to address the winter weather crisis gripping this state. And yes, it's true: Sen. Ted Cruz did travel to Cancun to escape the blizzard. Connect with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace. Support the show: https://offers.houstonchronicle.com/?offerid=125&origin=newsroom&ipid=podcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton faced blistering questions this week from some of his fellow Republicans after unilaterally moving $40 million in tax dollars to give out pay raises in his office. Meantime the impeachment trial in Washington drew to a close and Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick poured cold water on proposals to expand gambling in the state. Connect with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace. Support the show: https://offers.houstonchronicle.com/?offerid=125&origin=newsroom&ipid=podcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In his State of the State Address this week, Gov. Greg Abbott argues "normalcy" is coming back to Texas. But the COVID-19 statistics suggest otherwise. Plus lawmakers in Washington continue to haggle over a new COVID relief package and Ted Cruz can't help but paint himself into a corner with his pop culture references. Connect with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace. Support the show: https://offers.houstonchronicle.com/?offerid=125&origin=newsroom&ipid=podcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As the anger builds among Republicans against the second impeachment of former President Trump, a small group in the Texas GOP wants to start a conversation about secession. Yes, that again. Plus Beto O'Rourke floats the possibility of running against Gov. Greg Abbott in 2022. Hope springs eternal for Texas Democrats. Connect with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace. Support the show: https://offers.houstonchronicle.com/?offerid=125&origin=newsroom&ipid=podcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

He's just been sworn in this week and Democratic President Joe Biden is already at odds with Texas Republican leaders on a host of issues from immigration to energy. Plus Sen. Ted Cruz faces the wrath of the Lincoln Project and Gov. Greg Abbott snubs Houston's political leadership when hosting a roundtable on COVID vaccine in Houston. Connect with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace. Support the show: https://offers.houstonchronicle.com/?offerid=125&origin=newsroom&ipid=podcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

President Trump was impeached for a second time right as he visited the Texas border for a subdued victory lap for an uncompleted border wall. Meantime, Sen. Ted Cruz faces questions about his role in inciting riots at the Capitol and the Texas Legislature convened under the cloud of the pandemic. Connect with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace. Support the show: https://offers.houstonchronicle.com/?offerid=125&origin=newsroom&ipid=podcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As riots unfolded at the US Capitol in Washington, Sen. Ted Cruz and his former top aide Rep. Chip Roy were on opposite sides of the argument fueling the violence. Meantime, Rep. Dan Crenshaw told Jeremy that some of his GOP colleagues who incited the rioters later behaved like "cowards." Plus, a top Texas health official is caught on tape saying the state government has reached the limits of what it can do in the battle against COVID-19. Connect with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace. Support the show: https://offers.houstonchronicle.com/?offerid=125&origin=newsroom&ipid=podcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Now that the dust has settled from the elections and even Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick is admitting President Trump won't be in office come January, it's time to take stock of 2020. We reflect on the year that was. Plus, is there any real shot for casinos in Texas along with legalized pot? Maybe. Connect with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace. Support the show: https://offers.houstonchronicle.com/?offerid=125&origin=newsroom&ipid=podcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, embroiled in his own personal legal troubles, is now rushing to the defense of President Donald Trump in trying to overturn the election results. That's sparked some speculation that Paxton is trying to get a presidential pardon for his alleged crimes. Plus Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick looks to change the rules in the Texas Senate once again so that the number of votes it takes to advance legislation equals the number of GOP senators in the chamber. Connect with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace. Support the show: https://offers.houstonchronicle.com/?offerid=125&origin=newsroom&ipid=podcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Businesses across DFW are now under new restrictions as COVID-19 cases spike, the mayor of Austin is under the gun after traveling to Mexico while telling people to "stay home," and Rep. Dan Crenshaw, R-Houston, is reloading for a campaign in Georgia. But this time it's his fellow Republicans angry with him for trying to elect GOP senators. Yes, you read that right. Connect with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace. Support the show: https://offers.houstonchronicle.com/?offerid=125&origin=newsroom&ipid=podcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Despite rising numbers in cases of coronavirus, Gov. Greg Abbott insists we're now in the "ninth inning" of the pandemic because therapeutics will be distributed soon in Texas in addition to vaccines that may be available in the near future. Plus, Sen. Ted Cruz absolutely refuses to mask up depending on the situation and Matthew McConaughey toys with running for governor of Texas. Connect with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace. Support the show: https://offers.houstonchronicle.com/?offerid=125&origin=newsroom&ipid=podcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Republicans are very slowly coming to grips with President Trump's loss to President-Elect Joe Biden while Texas Democrats are grieving the fact they weren't able to make much progress at all after a much-hyped campaign season. But the GOP takes some solace in Trump's ongoing legal challenges while Democrats here can take pride in an ever-growing Blue Spine of Texas as first reported by Jeremy. Connect with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace. Support the show: https://offers.houstonchronicle.com/?offerid=125&origin=newsroom&ipid=podcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As the vote counting battle rages on in the battleground states, the national election returns leave us with more questions than answers, especially in the presidential contest. But, Texas has spoken and voters have delivered some answers — President Trump took Texas by a big-enough margin and the GOP remains in control of all statewide offices and both houses of the legislature. Scott Braddock of The Quorum Report hosts this morning-after discussion with Houston Chronicle staffers: political writer Jeremy Wallace, Managing Editor for Content Maria Reeve, Editor of Opinion Lisa Falkenberg and editorial writer Luis Carrasco. Support the show: https://offers.houstonchronicle.com/?offerid=125&origin=newsroom&ipid=podcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices