By Emma Platoff, The Texas Tribune At a Governor’s Mansion press conference on the second day of this year’s legislative session, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick — who last session was the top state leader championing the measure, which would have regulated the use of certain public facilities for transgender Texans — suggested there’s no need…
Julián Castro Forms Presidential Exploratory Committee, Sets Jan. 12 Announcement
The former U.S. housing secretary and San Antonio mayor took another step toward a 2020 presidential run Wednesday. By Patrick Svitek, The Texas Tribune SAN ANTONIO – Julián Castro is taking another step toward a 2020 presidential campaign. The former housing secretary and San Antonio mayor announced Wednesday that he has formed an exploratory committee,…
Democrat Gina Ortiz Jones Concedes in Close Congressional Race Against Will Hurd
Almost two weeks have passed since the election, but Jones had been holding out hope and waiting to see all outstanding ballots counted. By Patrick Svitek, The Texas Tribune Democrat Gina Ortiz Jones conceded Monday in her challenge to U.S. Rep. Will Hurd, R-Helotes, ensuring a third term for Hurd in his perennial battleground district.…
In Texas, the “Rainbow Wave” Outpaces the Blue One
Fourteen of 35 LGBTQ candidates won their races Tuesday night, and activists say the 2018 election will carve a path for a future “rainbow wave” in Texas. by Hannah Wiley, The Texas Tribune Fourteen of the 35 gay, bisexual and transgender candidates who ran for office in Texas during the midterms claimed victory Tuesday night…
Trailing GOP U.S. Rep. Will Hurd by 689 votes, Gina Ortiz Jones Campaign Says Texas Race “Is Not Over”
U.S. Rep. Will Hurd, R-Helotes, is looking to hold on to the 23rd District. His opponent is Gina Ortiz Jones, a former Air Force intelligence officer who is openly LGBTQ. Updated: November 7, 2018, 1:00 p.m. By Teo Armus, The Texas Tribune The Texas congressional race between incumbent Republican Will Hurd and Democratic challenger Gina…
Rep. Mary González Says She’s Taking the High Road After Rep. Pat Fallon Mocked Her Sexuality
By Julián Aguilar, The Texas Tribune State Rep. Mary González said Wednesday that a Republican colleague who publicly mocked her sexual identity earlier this week has apologized to her. González, a Democrat from Clint, identifies as pansexual — someone who is attracted to other people regardless of gender or sexual identity. On Monday, state Rep.…
Texas LGBTQ Advocates Aren’t Worried About Challenges to Austin’s Nondiscrimination Ordinance
The advocates say lawsuits challenging the city’s code prohibiting employers from discriminating against an “individual’s race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, or disability” won’t hold up in court. By Matt Zdun, Texas Tribune After two conservative Christian groups filed lawsuits against the city of Austin over the past week challenging…
Texas Border Patrol Agent Accused of “Serial Killing Spree” in Laredo
Juan David Ortiz, an intel supervisor for the Border Patrol, has been accused of killing four women, including one transgender woman. By Marissa Evans and Julián Aguilar, The Texas Tribune Editor’s note: this story has been updated throughout A U.S. Border Patrol agent has been accused of going on a nearly two-week-long “serial killing spree”…
Valdez Agrees to Debate Abbott on Sept. 28 in Austin
By Patrick Svitek, The Texas Tribune Lupe Valdez, the Democratic candidate for governor, has agreed to debate the Republican incumbent, Greg Abbott, on Sept. 28 in Austin, ending weeks of uncertainty over whether the two would face off. Earlier this summer, Abbott announced his RSVP for the Austin debate, which is being hosted by Nexstar…
Abbott Agrees to Debate with Valdez, Who Says, “Call Me, Maybe?”
By Patrick Svitek, The Texas Tribune Gov. Greg Abbott has accepted an invitation from a TV station group to debate Democratic opponent Lupe Valdez on Sept. 28 in Austin — and she says she’s “in” but doesn’t sound sold on the specifics yet. The Republican governor’s campaign made the first move Wednesday evening, announcing it…