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Results of May runoffs could dramatically reshape Texas House
Rep. Gary VanDeaver is among a number of Republican incumbents in the Texas House who are fighting for their political lives ahead of the May 28th primaries, beset by powerful outside forces including the governor, the lieutenant governor, large-dollar pro-voucher groups and others.
"It's really a battle for the heart and soul of rural Texas," VanDeaver said. "There's no doubt that we're seeing a purification of the Republican Party in Texas. And the message is very clear: you either toe the line or we'll come after you."
The runoffs could cement the lower chamber's rightward lurch after a record nine House Republicans were taken out by hardline primary challengers last week. But establishment GOP incumbents see hope of reasserting power in the overtime contests, while Democrats are eyeing the internecine power struggle as an opportunity to go after more right-wing nominees who, they believe, could be more vulnerable in November's general election.
Phelan's move to put Democrats in charge of eight of the House's 34 standing committees has become an unexpected flashpoint in the primaries. The speaker, who reserved the most high-profile committee assignments for Republicans, says the practice is a way to keep at least some Democrats on board with GOP-led measures that require more than a simple majority to pass.
The 150-seat Texas House consists of 86 Republicans and 64 Democrats.
 | Jeremy Wallace, Texas politics reporter |
Who's up, who's down
Up: Firefighters.
Aside from council meetings and staff calls, new Houston Mayor John Whitmire's top priority — resolving City Hall's years-long contract stalemate with the firefighters' union — accounted for the most meetings during his first two months in office, with regular negotiating sessions and strategy discussions.
Down: Colony Ridge.
After facing Legislative hearings, a media circus and a federal discrimination case, now Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is suing the Houston-area Colony Ridge housing development for deceptive trade practices.
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Pick of the day
Photo by: NurPhoto/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Consumer research data suggests that more people visit Pornhub's website each day than Netflix's. Based on that, it seems likely that at least a few of you, dear readers, missed the headlines yesterday and wondered why that particular website wasn't working all of a sudden. Well don't worry. You don't need to ask anyone or even Google it, we've got you covered with all the details right here on the website disabling access in Texas thanks to a new state law from last year.
What else I'm reading
From New York Magazine: The Chaos Inside Diddy's Charter School: Parents were drawn in by celebrity connections. Instead, their children faced violence and dysfunction.
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