Gonzales recently made his first public remarks about the death of his 35-year-old aide who died after lighting herself on fire. He vigorously denied reports that the two were engaged in an extramarital affair.
Renzo Downey
Renzo Downey is the lead writer of The Blast, The Texas Tribune’s premium politics newsletter. Prior to joining the Tribune in February 2023, he worked as a state government and politics reporter and a newsletter editor for Florida Politics. He was previously an intern on the state desk at the Austin American-Statesman. A San Francisco Bay Area native, Renzo received his bachelor’s degree in journalism and political science from Northwestern University.
Posted in
The 2025 Texas Tribune Festival
Texas House Democrats say they are keeping their options open for speaker in 2027
Speaking at the Texas Tribune Festival, Democratic Rep. Donna Howard acknowledged that Republicans have unified around Speaker Dustin Burrows to the point that he “may not need us” to retain the gavel.
Posted in
Politics
Texas GOP censures five lawmakers, but rejects banning anyone from the primary ballot
Saturday’s decisions signal a deescalating intraparty tension that heightened at the start of the year.
Posted in
2026 Texas Elections
Texas GOP to consider blocking lawmakers from 2026 primary ballot in first test of new censure rule
The state party’s governing board will meet Saturday to decide whether 10 Texas House Republicans tried to thwart GOP priorities during this year’s legislative session.
Posted in
2026 Texas Elections
Texas Democratic Party’s move to Dallas prompts top staff exodus, roils organization ahead of 2026
Party insiders said the way the move was handled undercuts Chair Kendall Scudder’s rhetoric about winning back working class voters, who lurched to the right in 2024.
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Texas Legislature 2025
Abbott expected to issue executive order setting age requirements for THC-products, other restrictions
The executive order comes after the Legislature ended a special session without the House, Senate and governor agreeing on restrictions.
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Texas Legislature 2025
Most Texas THC products remain legal after GOP leaders fail to break legislative impasse
Legislators couldn’t reach a last-minute deal to tighten regulations on consumable hemp products.
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Texas Legislature 2025
Texas Legislature approves stiff penalties, fundraising limits for lawmakers who leave state to block bills
House members who freeze future legislation by fleeing Texas will face steeper fines, loss of seniority and committee posts, and limits on political fundraising.
Posted in
2026 Texas Elections
Texas megadonor Alex Fairly will fund legal bid to keep GOP lawmakers on the primary ballot
The Amarillo businessman said he would tap into the $20 million political action committee he launched last year to preserve ballot access for censured Republicans.
Posted in
Texas Legislature 2025
Republican Party of Texas sets stage to censure members who stepped out of line in likely bid to block them from primary ballot
Republicans who are censured by their county party leaders may be blocked from the primary ballot under a new party rule passed last year, that is expected to be tested by the courts.