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Dan Crenshaw makes no apologies for upsetting big names in the conservative media universe.
He's called out former Fox News host Tucker Carlson, conspiracy theorist Candace Owens and the Navy SEAL veteran and podcaster Shawn Ryan.
The list represents some of the most influential voices of the far right wing of the Republican party — the very people voters in his congressional district are paying attention to ahead of what is expected to be a tough primary in March.
"They were lying about me, and I'm just not somebody who lets that go," Crenshaw explained. "You could say that's a bad strategy. But I will just not let people lie about me."
Since coming to Washington in 2019, Crenshaw has risen to become one of the most recognizable members of Congress, with a reputation for candor and a penchant for calling out those with whom he disagrees. But after a damaging pair of disclosures last month, both involving drinking, the 41-year-old has again found himself under attack by far-right commentators and politicians with whom he has long clashed.
Reporter James Osborne writes that the scrutiny comes as the Houston lawmaker is facing what could be his toughest primary yet. Redistricting meant to shore up Republicans' strength in Congress may actually hurt Crenshaw, whose district has been sweeping further into deep red Montgomery County. He's drawn a formidable primary challenger in state Rep. Steve Toth, the owner of a local pool cleaning company who has a reputation as one of the most conservative members of the Texas Legislature.
Crenshaw, a Navy SEAL veteran, brushes off criticism as part of the "outrage culture" he has long pilloried. But for those who know him, the recent incidents are reflective of a politician they describe as equal parts inspirational and frustrating.
More on all of it here from Osborne.
 | Jeremy Wallace, Texas politics reporter |
Who's Up, Who's Down
A daily stock market-style report on key players in Texas politics.
Up: Jasmine Crockett.
The Democrat may be from Dallas, but she put her Houston ties on full display on Sunday, attending The Fountain of Praise, a church she used to sing in the choir back when she was a law school student at the University of Houston. Crockett told me in an interview that she's going to be in town a lot trying to drive up voter turnout. She told church goers that in an area that has so many voters of color, if they turnout she can become the first Democratic U.S. Senator from Texas since the 1990s. With about 20% of the state's Democratic primary voters, Harris County is essential for any Democrat if they are going to advance to the November general election.
Down: John Whitmire.
The Houston mayor will no longer be able to get endorsements from the Harris County Democratic Party following an overwhelming vote Sunday by the party's precinct chairs, issuing what could pose as a debilitating blow to his 2027 re-election campaign. Precinct chairs voted 186-80 at a meeting Sunday to deny the mayor future endorsements after a coalition of chairs submitted a proposal following Whitmire's participation in a fundraising event for U.S. Rep. Dan Crenshaw, a Republican. Reporter Abby Church has more on what happens next for Whitmire.
What do you think? Hit reply and let me know.
What else is going on in Texas
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Pick of the day
Photo by: Susan Barber
In a special edition of the Texas Take Podcast, Democratic Senate candidate Jasmine Crockett talks to me about the early controversies swirling around her campaign in relation to her past comments about Latino voters and her support for Israel. Crockett tells me a lot of people are twisting her positions. "I'm okay with people disagreeing with my record," Crockett said. "I'm not okay with people disagreeing with something that's been completely mischaracterized in an attempt to distract." Check out the full interview wherever you get your podcasts.
What else I'm reading
While federal courts have already allowed Texas to redraw its Congressional maps for 2026, the Justice Department is suing to try to stop California from countering the Lone Star State. The Associated Press reports this is a key week for the Trump administration, which is asking a three-judge panel to temporarily block the maps from going into place for the 2026 elections.
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