We recap the wild week in Texas politics. Grab a coldie and hang! Learn more about us at ProgressTexas.org.
Early voting is over - so, only Election Day, Tuesday March 3, remains for Texas progressives to make their voice heard in the 2026 primary (runoffs notwithstanding)! And the day AFTER that, on Wednesday March 4th, the Texas Democratic Party is set to launch the “Texas Together Campaign” - a historic, coordinated statewide effort to turn Texas blue - and YOUR help is needed. To tell us all about it, we welcome back TDP Chair Kendall Scudder, and for the first time, Texas Majority PAC's Executive Director, Katherine Fischer.Learn more about the Texas Together Campaign at https://www.texasdemocrats.org/ccrfp2026.Thanks for listening! Learn more about Progress Texas and how you can support our ongoing work at https://progresstexas.org/.
Legendary in Dallas, the Brewer Storefront is the community-service and pro bono arm of the national law firm Brewer, Attorneys & Counselors, established in 1995 to provide high-level legal advocacy to individuals and organizations who would otherwise likely be unable to access the "big law" resources they provide. Attorneys Ian Shaw and Josh Harris join us to tell the story of the Storefront, the amazing impacts they've achieved, and their plans to continue making a tremendous difference in Texas and beyond.Learn more about the Brewer Storefront at https://www.brewerattorneys.com/pro-bono.Thanks for listening! Learn more about Progress Texas and how you can support our ongoing work at https://progresstexas.org/.
We always say, it's been a wild week in Texas politics - but between the high of unbelievable Democratic turnout in the primary, and the low of a potential sweeping away of justice for Ruben Ray Martinez, this one's been extra wild. We welcome Progress Texas board member Dick Lavine for this weekend's roundtable.Thanks for listening! Learn more about Progress Texas at https://progresstexas.org/.
Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas:You're not experiencing deja vu - the U.S. military has again recklessly deployed their new laser technology without coordinating properly with the FAA, who have again imposed an airspace shutdown near El Paso: https://www.texastribune.org/2026/02/26/texas-el-paso-border-drone-laser-airspace-closure/...We hope some courageous reporter asks Donald Trump about that, and the Epstein files, and our tariff refunds, during his visit to Corpus Christi today: https://www.houstonchronicle.com/politics/texas/article/trump-visit-corpus-christi-texas-21943671.phpToday is the last day to vote early in a Texas primary that has already seen historic turnout, especially among Democrats: https://votehub.com/early-vote-tracker-tx-primary-26As the primary wraps up on Tuesday, we're hoping the bickering between the camps of Jasmine Crockett and James Talarico wraps up as well - but we don't expect Cardi B and Nicki Minaj to mend fences: https://www.fox7austin.com/news/texas-primary-race-between-jasmine-crockett-james-talarico-heat-upAvoiding enriching Elon Musk is apparently harder than just avoiding Tesla and Twitter - he's built a clandestine network of dozens of companies doing his bidding across Texas: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/27/technology/elon-musk-companies-texas.htmlTurns out that many of the live music venues listed as "members" of the Music Venue Alliance of Texas, which recently endorsed Governor Greg Abbott, not only had no knowledge of a potential endorsement - many didn't know they were members at all: https://www.austinchronicle.com/music/music-venue-alliance-endorses-greg-abbott-for-governor-without-consulting-music-venues/Early voting in the March primary is underway! Research your ballot here: https://apps.texastribune.org/features/2026/texas-march-2026-primary-ballot/?_bhlid=7d8eca3d2a16adc7c9b44185414443fa32be6d84All about voting in Texas can be found at GoVoteTexas.org. Progress Texas is expanding into both broadcast radio - including a new partnership with KPFT-FM in Houston - and into Spanish language media! Make a tax-deductible contribution to our radio initiative HERE, and to our Spanish expansion HERE.Find our web store and other ways to support our important work at https://progresstexas.org.
Texas is at the center of the battle for equal voting rights in America today. As the March primaries continue for the 2026 Midterm elections,we're here to discuss a pending Supreme Court case that you might not have heard about yet, but will be crucial for the future of voting rights for Black and Brown voters in the South. PTI Board Chair, Louis Bedford, joins the podcast to discuss Louisiana v. Callais and how to protect your right to vote in Texas.You can find more information at https://www.naacpldf.org/case-issue/louisiana-v-callais/.Thanks for listening! Learn more about Progress Texas and how you can support our ongoing work at https://progresstexas.org/.
Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas:Dueling polls late in the 2026 primary season fail to clearly identify a leader in the race for the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate: https://www.fox7austin.com/news/texas-primary-conflicting-polls-show-how-several-key-races-too-close-call...The new poll from the UT Politics Project: https://texaspolitics.utexas.edu/blog/competition-remains-fierce-in-both-u-s-senate-primaries-in-texas-according-to-latest-ut-texas-politics-project-poll-2...Besides, runoff elections are very likely in a bunch of races: https://cbsaustin.com/news/local/new-polling-suggests-runoff-likely-in-texas-gop-senate-primary...The historically massive Democratic turnout we've seen this time also undermines the reliability of any poll: https://www.texastribune.org/2026/02/25/texas-early-voting-turnout-democrats-midterm-election/...The latest turnout numbers: https://votehub.com/early-vote-tracker-tx-primary-26Just a week since a federal border agent's involvement in the shooting death of Ruben Ray Martinez last March, a Cameron County grand jury has already declined to indict that agent: https://www.texastribune.org/2026/02/25/texas-ice-shooting-death-grand-jury-no-bill/A California doctor becomes the first target of HB 7, the new anti-abortion law allowing private citizens to sue providers of abortion medication mailed into the state: https://msmagazine.com/2026/02/25/texas-abortion-pills-ban-bounty-hunter-california-doctor-remy-coeytaux/The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals has denied a rehearing petition in a case challenging SB 12, the Drag Ban bill - it will now go into effect on March 18: https://www.aclutx.org/press-releases/fifth-circuit-denies-motion-to-rehear-texas-drag-ban-argument/Early voting in the March primary is underway! Research your ballot here: https://apps.texastribune.org/features/2026/texas-march-2026-primary-ballot/?_bhlid=7d8eca3d2a16adc7c9b44185414443fa32be6d84All about voting in Texas can be found at GoVoteTexas.org. Progress Texas is expanding into both broadcast radio - including a new partnership with KPFT-FM in Houston - and into Spanish language media! Make a tax-deductible contribution to our radio initiative HERE, and to our Spanish expansion HERE.Find our web store and other ways to support our important work at https://progresstexas.org.
MeidasTouch and MoveOn hosted an alternative to the Donald Trump State Of The Union address last night on the National Mall, featuring a lineup of lawmakers, activists, and just regular folks whose lives have been upended by Trump and his reckless, racist policies. Austin Congressman Greg Casar was one of the speakers, and we bring you his remarks from the People's State Of The Union event here.Watch the entire event at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oArKZutSbF0.Thanks for listening! Learn more about Progress Texas and how to support our ongoing work at https://progresstexas.org/.
Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas:Establishing a new tradition, Houston Congressman Al Green was booted from the Trump State Of The Union address last night in response to his protests for the second consecutive year: https://www.politico.com/live-updates/2026/02/24/trump-state-of-the-union-address-2026/al-green-escorted-out-00797132...Texas Reps Veronica Escobar and Greg Casar both skipped the SOTU, opting instead to appear at the "People's State Of The Union" event on the National Mall: https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/watch-live-democratic-lawmakers-join-peoples-state-of-the-union-rally-during-trumps-addressMired in an adulterous scandal involving the suicide of his married mistress, Republican Congressman Tony Gonzales says he'll not step down or quit his run for reelection: https://www.texastribune.org/2026/02/24/tony-gonzales-resign-texas-staffer-suicide-texts/Shocker! Attorney General Ken Paxton appears to have been less than truthful in his refusal to defend the Texas Medical Board, who are in a legal battle with a doctor they reprimanded for prescribing ivermectin to a patient at a Texas hospital at which she didn't have privileges: https://www.houstonchronicle.com/health/article/texas-medical-board-ken-paxton-bowden-21906911.phpNew San Antonio Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones is facing a rare censure vote on Friday by her City Council over a scrape with Council Member Sukh Kaur, in which an independent investigator has found the mayor violated codes of conduct: https://www.sacurrent.com/news/san-antonio-news/san-antonio-city-hall-source-mayor-jones-threatened-councilwoman-during-confrontation/Early voting in the March primary is underway! Research your ballot here: https://apps.texastribune.org/features/2026/texas-march-2026-primary-ballot/?_bhlid=7d8eca3d2a16adc7c9b44185414443fa32be6d84All about voting in Texas can be found at GoVoteTexas.org. Progress Texas is expanding into both broadcast radio - including a new partnership with KPFT-FM in Houston - and into Spanish language media! Make a tax-deductible contribution to our radio initiative HERE, and to our Spanish expansion HERE.Find our web store and other ways to support our important work at https://progresstexas.org.
Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas: Joshua Orta - the passenger in the car of Ruben Ray Martinez when he was allegedly shot by a federal border officer last March and the key witness in the case - himself died in a car crash in San Antonio last weekend: https://apnews.com/article/texas-ice-shooting-martinez-orta-death-eef234709ecea98a9fabaafefb656c07Texts asking for "sexy pics" and suggesting sexual acts sent by Republican Congressman Tony Gonzales to staffer Regina Santos-Aviles, who later committed suicide, have been revealed - and members of his own party are now demanding his resignation: https://www.nbcnews.com/nightly-news/video/texas-congressman-faces-new-calls-to-resign-after-texts-revealed-258164805519...We featured four Democrats seeking nomination in Gonzales' CD 23 recently: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/special-live-pod-the-democrats-running-for-cd-23/id1552998795?i=1000749334936Dallas Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett has introduced "The Payback Act", which would compel the Secretary of the Treasury to refund American consumers who have been overcharged as a result of illegal Trump tariffs: https://crockett.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-crockett-introduces-payback-act-refund-americans-trumps-illegal-tariff...Perhaps some intrepid reporter will ask Donald Trump about Rep. Crockett's proposal when he appears in Corpus Christi on Friday: https://www.houstonchronicle.com/politics/texas-take/article/donald-trump-texas-visit-primary-election-21937687.phpDr. Peter Attia, who lives in Austin, has stepped down from a contributor role at CBS News as a result of his extensive implication in the Epstein files: https://www.statesman.com/news/article/cbs-peter-attia-epstein-files-21904396.phpA Bastrop county commissioner who had proposed renaming a local highway for Charlie Kirk has withdrawn his idea, which was met with fierce public opposition: https://www.statesman.com/news/local/article/bastrop-fm969-charlie-kirk-name-debate-21516197.phpEarly voting in the March primary is underway! Research your ballot here: https://apps.texastribune.org/features/2026/texas-march-2026-primary-ballot/?_bhlid=7d8eca3d2a16adc7c9b44185414443fa32be6d84All about voting in Texas can be found at GoVoteTexas.org. Progress Texas is expanding into both broadcast radio - including a new partnership with KPFT-FM in Houston - and into Spanish language media! Make a tax-deductible contribution to our radio initiative HERE, and to our Spanish expansion HERE.Find our web store and other ways to support our important work at https://progresstexas.org.
Marcos Vélez of the Houston area is a longtime union leader and Texas AFL/CIO endorsed candidate for Texas Lieutenant Governor - our enlightening talk with Marcos with highlights a broad range of important aspects of the changing world in which working Texans find ourselves. Early primary voting is underway now through Friday February 27th, and Election Day is Tuesday March 3.Learn more about Marcos Vélez and his campaign at https://velezfortexas.com/.Thanks for listening! Learn more about Progress Texas and how you can support our ongoing work at https://progresstexas.org/.
Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas:With only six voting days remaining, Democratic early voting primary turnout continues far outpacing that of the Republicans: https://votehub.com/early-vote-tracker-tx-primary-26?state=tx-sen-26-dem...All of this is great fun for Dems, but there are reasons to maintain objectivity and focus: https://www.lonestarleft.com/p/is-something-happening-in-texas...Tarrant County Democratic Party Chair Dr. Allison Campolo credits new Texas Democratic Party Chair Kendall Scudder for meeting the moment: https://x.com/AllisonCampolo/status/2025669257993081275...Union involvement, including the opening victory of Taylor Rehmet in SD 9, is apparent this cycle: https://www.houstonchronicle.com/politics/texas/article/union-members-democrats-election-21358617.phpDemocratic leaders Gina Hinojosa, Joaquin Castro and Gina Ortiz Jones have all called for investigations of the ICE-involved shooting death of Ruben Ray Martinez last March - and the coverup that appears to have persisted since: https://www.texastribune.org/2026/02/20/texas-ice-fatal-shooting-south-padre-island/As the trial of protesters under terrorism charges framed as "Antifa" restarts today, Judge Mark Pittman is involving himself unusually in the jury selection process, possibly affecting the trial's eventual outcome: https://www.keranews.org/criminal-justice/2026-02-23/prairieland-detention-center-shooting-trial-antifa-jury-selection-judge-mark-pittman-fort-worth-texas?_amp=true...Trump DOJ prosecutors are highlighting black clothing, first aid kits, and encrypted Signal messaging as hallmarks of "Antifa" involvement, attempting to criminalize a decentralized ideology: https://www.texasobserver.org/antifa-scare-prairieland-19-trial-ice-detention/Early voting in the March primary is underway! Research your ballot here: https://apps.texastribune.org/features/2026/texas-march-2026-primary-ballot/?_bhlid=7d8eca3d2a16adc7c9b44185414443fa32be6d84All about voting in Texas can be found at GoVoteTexas.org. Progress Texas is expanding into both broadcast radio - including a new partnership with KPFT-FM in Houston - and into Spanish language media! Make a tax-deductible contribution to our radio initiative HERE, and to our Spanish expansion HERE.Find our web store and other ways to support our important work at https://progresstexas.org.
Texas Democrats have put up a bumper crop of quality statewide candidates in the 2026 midterm, and among them, Houston's Savant Moore stands out - Army veteran, Howard graduate, Houston ISD trustee (and classroom teacher!) - this is a guy who has contributed to his country and community at a truly exemplary level, and seeks to continue that service as Texas Comptroller.Learn more about Savant Moore and his campaign at https://www.savantmoore.com/.Thanks for listening! Learn more about Progress Texas and our continuing work at https://progresstexas.org/.
Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas:Almost a year ago, a 23 year old U.S. citizen from San Antonio was killed by ICE agent in south Texas - and it took investigative work from Newsweek to uncover that federal involvement: https://www.newsweek.com/ice-agent-fatally-shot-us-citizen-texas-dhs-records-11544225The Trump administration is set to sidestep 28 federal regulations in order to build over 100 miles of "smart wall" along the border areas in Big Bend National Park: https://www.thetravel.com/us-customs-and-border-protection-break-laws-in-big-bend-national-park-to-build-massive-border-wall/...Democratic Congressmen Vicente Gonzalez and Henry Cuellar appear to have been less than effective in fighting for that state treasure: https://www.texasobserver.org/trump-new-wall-rio-grande-valley-protected-sites/Republican Congressman Tony Gonzales, embroiled in an adultery scandal involving a staffer who later committed suicide, is accusing the staffer' s husband of blackmail: https://www.sacurrent.com/news/rep-tony-gonzales-now-claims-hes-being-blackmailed-by-husband-of-alleged-mistress/...The co-worker who blew the whistle to journalists says he raised concerns about Regina Santos-Aviles' mental health to his supervisor before her death, but was not consulted by investigators looking into her suicide: https://www.statesman.com/news/article/texas-congressman-tony-gonzales-allegations-21367439.phpUT Austin regents, on the heels of consolidating several gender and ethnic studies departments, have issued rules allowing students to bypass "unnecessary controversial subjects": https://www.texastribune.org/2026/02/19/texas-university-ut-regents-unnecessarily-controversial-subjects/Dozens upon dozens of Texas ISD's are passing on the dedicated prayer time that Senate Bill 11 offers them to implement: https://www.kvue.com/article/news/education/central-texas-school-districts-weigh-adopt-voluntary-prayer-policy/269-80f7ee10-e9f2-48d7-9be4-29afd20e0016Early voting in the March primary is underway! Research your ballot here: https://apps.texastribune.org/features/2026/texas-march-2026-primary-ballot/?_bhlid=7d8eca3d2a16adc7c9b44185414443fa32be6d84All about voting in Texas can be found at GoVoteTexas.org. Progress Texas is expanding into both broadcast radio - including a new partnership with KPFT-FM in Houston - and into Spanish language media! Make a tax-deductible contribution to our radio initiative HERE, and to our Spanish expansion HERE.Find our web store and other ways to support our important work at https://progresstexas.org.
Chris managed not to get kicked out of the Senate Gallery at the Texas State Capitol long enough to see Taylor Rehmet become the first Democrat sworn in to represent Tarrant County's 9th Senate district since shoulder pads were hot. Early voting has shown Democratic voters in Texas fired up to hit the polls - but it's still gonna be an uphill battle. Lots more to talk about, and we do, on this week's weekly weekend roundup.Thanks for listening! Learn more about Progress Texas and how you can support our ongoing work at https://progresstexas.org/.
As early voting in the primary gets underway, another Texas candidate running for the Texas State House, in this case for the seat representing HD 50 - the space made by James Talarico as he runs for the U.S. Senate. Samantha Lopez Resendez is an RGV native and longtime staffer at the Capitol, notably in the office of State Rep. Donna Howard.Learn more about Samantha Lopez Resendez at https://www.samanthafortexas.com/.Thanks for listening! Learn more about Progress Texas and how you can support our ongoing work at https://progresstexas.org/.
Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas:The first two days of early voting have seen a near-doubling of the 2022 pace of Democratic primary voter turnout in Texas - but, with only a 20% jump, Republicans still lead in total ballots cast: https://votehub.com/early-vote-tracker-tx-primary-26?state=tx-sen-26-demKeeping it real and local appears to have been the secret sauce for "normie" Tarrant County candidate Taylor Rehmet, providing a potential winning strategy statewide for Democrats: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/18/opinion/texas-election-rehmet-politics.htmlDemocratic enthusiasm shouldn't be taken as an endorsement by established Democratic leadership - voters are partly fired up out of disappointment in their resistance to Trump 2.0: https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/what-the-texas-primaries-could-reveal-about-the-midtermsRepublicans in Gillespie County have given up on hand-counting early primary votes, though they still insist they'll hand-count on Election Day: https://www.texastribune.org/2026/02/18/gillespie-county-republicans-scale-back-hand-count-amid-staffing-shortage/...Dallas County GOP Chair Allen West, after months of efforts to make voting party-specific and thus more difficult, ended up voting himself at a joint polling location in Garland: https://www.keranews.org/news/2026-02-18/a-dallas-county-republican-leader-wanted-voting-locations-separated-by-party-but-when-he-voted...Important reminder that if you live in either Dallas or Williamson County, if you wait until Election Day (March 3) to vote, you will have to do so at your specific precinct location: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/happy-hour-252-dallas-and-williamson-county-primary/id1552998795?i=1000746930358The suicide-by-fire of a staffer of Republican Congressman Tony Gonzales, as has been theorized for months, appears to have been connected to an affair she had with the married lawmaker: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/18/us/politics/texas-gonzales-suicide-affair.html...There are four Democrats running for the nomination in CD 23, and Progress Texas associate Reagan Stone conducted a panel with them recently: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/special-live-pod-the-democrats-running-for-cd-23/id1552998795?i=1000749334936Early voting in the March primary is underway! Research your ballot here: https://apps.texastribune.org/features/2026/texas-march-2026-primary-ballot/?_bhlid=7d8eca3d2a16adc7c9b44185414443fa32be6d84All about voting in Texas can be found at GoVoteTexas.org. Progress Texas is expanding into both broadcast radio - including a new partnership with KPFT-FM in Houston - and into Spanish language media! Make a tax-deductible contribution to our radio initiative HERE, and to our Spanish expansion HERE.Find our web store and other ways to support our important work at https://progresstexas.org.
On Presidents' Day in Dallas, Next Generation Action Network kicked off Social Justice Week 2026 with with a powerful conversation on what democracy truly means and who it is supposed to serve, at the John Lewis Social Justice Academy. In a time when rights are under attack, truth is being distorted, and power is being challenged, the community came together to have a real conversation about reclaiming power and democracy.This is a great panel featuring Progress Texas Institute Board Chair and Attorney Louis Bedford IV, Dallas area community organizer Tiara Cooper, and Dallas County Democratic Party Chair Kardal Coleman, moderated by Black Women On A Mission founder Camille McCallum. Find the full video of the discussion at https://www.youtube.com/live/8efaOhdcJ5s.Thanks for listening! Learn more about Progress Texas and how you can support our ongoing work at https://progresstexas.org/.
Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas:Last night's debate between Republicans seeking to replace Ken Paxton as attorney general was an unbridled hate-fest, targeting Muslim Texans, Black Texans, and liberal Texans: https://republicanags.com/news/texas-attorney-general-the-2026-republican-primary-debate/Right-leaning fear and hate have risen in Frisco, where Indian immigrants have become a popular target for conservatives: https://www.texastribune.org/2026/02/17/texas-attorney-general-republican-debate-huffman-middleton-reitz-roy/The horror for children imprisoned at Dilley's ICE detention facility has continued beyond the release of Liam Conejo Ramos: https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/lisa-falkenberg/article/dilley-detention-ice-kids-crisis-21344477.php...A minor victory in Hutchins, as the company that owns the warehouse where a massive detention center had been planned is no longer interested: https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/local/hutchins-texas-ice-facility-warehouse/287-11ce4a39-65f4-41c5-bb8c-cf5afca83168The trial in Fort Worth of a group of accused "Antifa" members on terrorism charges has been delayed by a mistrial declared by the Trump-appointed judge over a defense attorney's shirt featuring depictions of civil rights leaders: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/feb/17/judge-texas-mistrial-antifa-iceEarly voting in the March primary is underway! Research your ballot here: https://apps.texastribune.org/features/2026/texas-march-2026-primary-ballot/?_bhlid=7d8eca3d2a16adc7c9b44185414443fa32be6d84All about voting in Texas can be found at GoVoteTexas.org. Progress Texas is expanding into both broadcast radio - including a new partnership with KPFT-FM in Houston - and into Spanish language media! Make a tax-deductible contribution to our radio initiative HERE, and to our Spanish expansion HERE.Find our web store and other ways to support our important work at https://progresstexas.org.
Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas:TV host Stephen Colbert defies CBS orders not to discuss their orders to pull an interview with James Talarico, citing the Trump FCC's modification of "equal time" rules for talk shows: https://www.forbes.com/sites/siladityaray/2026/02/17/colbert-says-cbs-refused-to-air-his-interview-with-democrat-candidate-fearing-fcc-blowback/...The Talarico interview has been posted to YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oiTJ7Pz_59AOver the weekend, investigative reporting revealed that Republican candidate for Texas Comptroller Don Huffines' family are the new owners of Jeffery Epstein's notorious Zorro Ranch in New Mexico: https://www.the-independent.com/news/world/americas/us-politics/epstein-ranch-new-mexico-don-huffines-b2921162.html...Huffines has rushed to announce that the property is to be converted into a "Christian retreat": https://www.santafenewmexican.com/news/local_news/texas-gop-politician-don-huffines-plans-christian-retreat-at-zorro-ranch/article_2418e5c4-b30f-499d-a1c6-e2c81995f829.html...The New Mexico legislature has unanimously authorized an investigation: https://www.santafenewmexican.com/news/legislature/new-mexicos-bipartisan-epstein-truth-commission-passes-kicking-off-investigation/article_a111d177-9460-4af9-bc83-38ec1b9b44f1.htmlA Dallas County JP is being scrutinized for leaning towards landlords in eviction cases - and may have falsified a case in which paperwork was not properly filed: https://lonestarproject.net/2026/02/11/the-eviction-judge/Today is the first day of early voting - and Fat Tuesday! Progress Texas will be celebrating both on Tuesday evening from 5 to 7 in Austin, and Sustaining monthly supporters who show up and find us will have their first drink on PT! Become a sustaining monthly supporter NOW at https://progresstexas.org/donate and come see us.Research your primary ballot here: https://apps.texastribune.org/features/2026/texas-march-2026-primary-ballot/?_bhlid=7d8eca3d2a16adc7c9b44185414443fa32be6d84All about voting in Texas can be found at GoVoteTexas.org. Progress Texas is expanding into both broadcast radio - including a new partnership with KPFT-FM in Houston - and into Spanish language media! Make a tax-deductible contribution to our radio initiative HERE, and to our Spanish expansion HERE.Find our web store and other ways to support our important work at https://progresstexas.org.
We're taking President's Day off this Monday, but we take a moment to remind you to think about the importance of ALL our hard work this midterm election year in doing all we can to put a stop to the daily insanity from the current occupant of the White House.We also remind you that your support is huge to us - so instead of picking up a new mattress, pick up the merch to match your progressive values! Use the code word RESIST at https://store.progresstexas.org/ for a 10% discount this week!AND - don't forget our first day of early voting and Fat Tuesday hang on Tuesday night in Austin! Sustaining monthly supporters who show up and find Chris will have their first drink on us - become a sustaining monthly supporter NOW at https://progresstexas.org/donate and come see us.The time to research your ballot is right now: https://apps.texastribune.org/features/2026/texas-march-2026-primary-ballot/?_bhlid=7d8eca3d2a16adc7c9b44185414443fa32be6d84All about voting in Texas can be found at GoVoteTexas.org. Progress Texas is expanding into both broadcast radio - including a new partnership with KPFT-FM in Houston - and into Spanish language media! Make a tax-deductible contribution to our radio initiative HERE, and to our Spanish expansion HERE.Find our web store and other ways to support our important work at https://progresstexas.org.
Sara McGee is running unopposed as a Democrat in the swingy 132nd Texas House District, inspired by a rude experience with incumbent Republican Mike Schofield, one of our most do-nothing and boot-licking lawmakers. A former school librarian and community advocate, Sara is focused on protecting Texans' reproductive rights, increasing public education funding, and expanding healthcare access.Learn more about Sara McGee and her campaign at https://mcgeefortx.com/.Thanks for listening! Learn more about Progress Texas and how you can support our ongoing work at https://progresstexas.org/.
The Progress Texas board has begun announcing their endorsements in the 2026 election, and if you don't live in North Texas, one you might be less familiar with is Kevin Burge - a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and cybersecurity specialist currently running for the U.S. House in Texas' 24th Congressional District, which has significant overlap with Texas State Senate District 9- the site of that massive blue flip with Taylor Rehmet's win, and a race featuring a particularly distasteful incumbent in Republican Congresswoman and MAGA darling Beth Van Duyne. With over 20 years of leadership experience, Kevin Burge's background includes combat service in both Iraq and Afghanistan, and cybersecurity service in the White House - we find him an exemplary candidate with a great story and terrific potential to win and serve with distinction.Learn more about Kevin and his campaign at https://www.burgeforcongress.com/.Thanks for listening! Learn more about Progress Texas and how you can support our ongoing work at https://progresstexas.org/.
Yet another week in the blender to unpack, as Austin State Rep. and new Progress Texas endorsee Vikki Goodwin joins us to announce an initiative to limit the encroachment of ICE into our neighborhoods, and give us an update on her campaign for Lieutenant Governor. Plus a discussion of Trump's new all-out assault on the environment, the ridiculous airspace lockdown of El Paso, and the needlessly-difficult death of actor and Austin resident James Van Der Beek. Lots to unpack - thanks for the hang.Learn more about our board's endorsement of Rep. Vikki Goodwin at https://progresstexas.org/blog/progress-texas-endorsements-march-primaries-0.Thanks for listening! Learn more about Progress Texas and how you can help support our important work at https://progresstexas.org/.
Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas:The board at Progress Texas has issued its endorsement of Austin State Rep. Vikki Goodwin in her run for Texas Lieutenant Governor: https://progresstexas.org/blog/progress-texas-endorsements-march-primaries-0...Texas labor unions, somewhat inexplicably, have been split in their endorsements in the race for Governor: https://www.texastribune.org/2026/02/11/texas-labor-unions-abbott-endorsement-teamsters-gina-hinojosa/...Also a bit strange, Music Venue Alliance Texas, which represents over 800 music venues across the state, has endorsed Abbott - definitely in conflict with the sensibilities of a great number of the musicians and patrons involved: https://www.dallasnews.com/news/politics/2026/02/12/texas-music-venues-endorse-gov-greg-abbott-for-reelection/...Might peruse their roster of venues, and ask about this next time you hit a show: https://www.musicvenuealliancetexas.com/membersNew GBAO polling shows Governor Abbott and Rep. Gina Hinojosa in a virtual tie: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1HcKBWzElxg9AUOzaOXitYKVMwyc1M4sB/viewAn important analysis of "reptile theory" - our tendency to react to political overload with outrage, then obsession, then exhaustion - as a deliberate right-wing psychological tactic that can be escaped if it is recognized: https://www.instagram.com/p/DUiptM7AuJU/?igsh=MWJzZjl2NmF1OGZtbQ%3D%3D&img_index=1We have a treat for our monthly supporters on Tuesday 2/17 as we celebrate both Fat Tuesday and the first day of early voting in the primary! Join our community of supporters NOW to get involved: https://progresstexas.org/donateThe time to research your ballot is right now: https://apps.texastribune.org/features/2026/texas-march-2026-primary-ballot/?_bhlid=7d8eca3d2a16adc7c9b44185414443fa32be6d84All about voting in Texas can be found at GoVoteTexas.org. Check out our web store, including our newly-expanded Humans Against Greg Abbott collection: https://store.progresstexas.org/Progress Texas is expanding into both broadcast radio - including a new partnership with KPFT-FM in Houston - and into Spanish language media! Make a tax-deductible contribution to our radio initiative HERE, and to our Spanish expansion HERE.Find our web store and other ways to support our important work at https://progresstexas.org.
Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas:Once again voting against the party that put him in power, Laredo Congressman Henry Cuellar was the only Democrat in the U.S. House to vote in favor of a strict new voter identification law based upon Donald Trump's unfounded claims of rampant voter fraud: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/11/us/politics/house-passes-voter-id-bill.htmlWhat the hell happened in El Paso yesterday? PBS's account: https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/what-caused-the-sudden-and-confusing-closure-of-el-pasos-airspace...The Texas Tribune's version: https://www.texastribune.org/2026/02/11/el-paso-air-space-closed-faa/The death in Austin of actor James Van Der Beek, in which his family has been left in financial ruin, underscores the deep problems inherent to the current American healthcare system: https://www.newsweek.com/entertainment/james-van-der-beek-raises-important-question-healthcare-11510330We have a treat for our monthly supporters on Tuesday 2/17 as we celebrate both Fat Tuesday and the first day of early voting in the primary! Join our community of supporters NOW to get involved: https://progresstexas.org/donateThe time to research your ballot is right now: https://apps.texastribune.org/features/2026/texas-march-2026-primary-ballot/?_bhlid=7d8eca3d2a16adc7c9b44185414443fa32be6d84All about voting in Texas can be found at GoVoteTexas.org. Check out our web store, including our newly-expanded Humans Against Greg Abbott collection: https://store.progresstexas.org/Progress Texas is expanding into both broadcast radio - including a new partnership with KPFT-FM in Houston - and into Spanish language media! Make a tax-deductible contribution to our radio initiative HERE, and to our Spanish expansion HERE.Find our web store and other ways to support our important work at https://progresstexas.org.
In this live pod captured at Sul Ross State University in Alpine, former PT staffer Reagan Stone moderates a panel of Democrats seeking their party's nomination to challenge Republican Congressman Tony Gonzalez, a lawmaker whose reputation as a moderate does not resolve his failure to address the poverty and healthcare crisis that plagues one of the largest political districts in the nation.Learn more about Gretel Enck at https://www.gretelforcongress.com/.Learn more about Santos Limon at https://santoslimonforcongress.com/.Learn more about Bruce Richardson at https://sanantonioreport.org/profile/bruce-richardson-2026-candidate-for-texas-23rd-congressional-district/.Learn more about Katy Padilla Stout at https://www.katyforcongress.com/.Thanks for listening! Learn more about Progress Texas and how you can support our ongoing work at https://progresstexas.org/.
Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas:The Progress Texas board has issued an endorsement for freshly-elected Congressman Christian Menefee in Houston's 18th Congressional District: https://progresstexas.org/blog/progress-texas-endorsements-march-primaries-0Tarrant County Judge Tim O'Hare was at it again last night - kicking citizens out for questioning the county's cooperation with ICE and gaveling silent Commissioner (and County Judge candidate) Alisa Simmons: https://www.star-telegram.com/news/politics-government/article314648968.html...O'Hare is apparently oblivious to the anti-ICE sentiment that led in part to Taylor Rehmet's recent upset win in SD-9: https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/hispanic-voters-swung-big-to-democrat-in-tarrant-county-election-upset/3981967/...Republican Congressmen Michael McCaul and Tony Gonzales have also not noticed, trying to play it both ways on ICE: https://www.houstonchronicle.com/politics/texas-take/article/texas-republicans-mccaul-gonzales-agents-minnesota-21346007.php...In contrast. Houston Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia has filed legislation to allow U.S. cities more flexibility in handling immigration enforcement within their jurisdictions: https://www.fox7austin.com/news/sylvia-garcia-legislation-immigration-enforcement-iceLast night's bizarre FAA shutdown of El Paso's airspace - and then the equally unexplained lifting of that shutdown - have left space for conversations about the Trump administration's incompetence and obfuscation on public safety: https://www.cnn.com/2026/02/11/us/faa-el-paso-texas-flight-restrictions-hnkWe have a treat for our monthly supporters on Tuesday 2/17 as we celebrate both Fat Tuesday and the first day of early voting in the primary! Join our community of supporters NOW to get involved: https://progresstexas.org/donateThe time to research your ballot is right now: https://apps.texastribune.org/features/2026/texas-march-2026-primary-ballot/?_bhlid=7d8eca3d2a16adc7c9b44185414443fa32be6d84All about voting in Texas can be found at GoVoteTexas.org. Check out our web store, including our newly-expanded Humans Against Greg Abbott collection: https://store.progresstexas.org/Progress Texas is expanding into both broadcast radio - including a new partnership with KPFT-FM in Houston - and into Spanish language media! Make a tax-deductible contribution to our radio initiative HERE, and to our Spanish expansion HERE.Find our web store and other ways to support our important work at https://progresstexas.org.
Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas:Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett's comments after Jeffrey Epstein accomplice Ghislane Maxwell pled the Fifth yesterday: https://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2026/02/09/rep_jasmine_crockett_the_united_states_is_falling_apart_right_now_its_time_to_take_off_the_blinders.htmlNew University of Houston polling shows significant leads for both Crockett and Republican candidate Ken Paxton: https://www.kvue.com/article/news/politics/elections/new-polling-ken-paxton-jasmine-crockett-us-senate-primary-races-texas/269-06af2487-6d00-40c4-99d1-b69f2b51ec9e...The racial tension that has permeated the Democratic primary threatens to leave the eventual nominee damaged for the general election: https://www.axios.com/2026/02/10/texas-senate-talarico-crockett-race-identity...In midterm elections in Texas, we're already known for over half of potential voters sitting out: https://www.lonestarleft.com/p/who-benefits-from-dividing-texasRepublican candidates from Governor Greg Abbott on down the list, without significant border crossers to demonize, have turned back to trusty post-9/11 Muslim hate to fire up their base: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/10/us/politics/texas-muslims-republicans.html...Similarly, AG Republican candidate Aaron Reitz is now openly musing about stripping Houston State Rep. Gene Wu of his citizenship over his political views: https://www.texastribune.org/2026/02/09/texas-gop-gene-wu-aaron-reitz-denaturalized/A ProPublica essay on the ICE detention city at Dilley shows that while Liam Ramos has been released, hundreds of children remain imprisoned there in terrible conditions: https://www.propublica.org/article/life-inside-ice-dilley-childrenEarly voting in the March primary starts on February 17 - Fat Tuesday! The time to research your ballot is right now: https://apps.texastribune.org/features/2026/texas-march-2026-primary-ballot/?_bhlid=7d8eca3d2a16adc7c9b44185414443fa32be6d84All about voting in Texas can be found at GoVoteTexas.org. Voter registration updates for the March primary from the Austin Chronicle HERE and from KUT Austin HERE.Check out our web store, including our newly-expanded Humans Against Greg Abbott collection: https://store.progresstexas.org/Progress Texas is expanding into both broadcast radio - including a new partnership with KPFT-FM in Houston - and into Spanish language media! Make a tax-deductible contribution to our radio initiative HERE, and to our Spanish expansion HERE.Find our web store and other ways to support our important work at https://progresstexas.org.
Thanks for finding Progress Texas Podcasts!How do we make progress in 2026? Progress Texas is the permanent home for nonprofit, progressive media and action in the Lone Star State. Our team of communications pros is meeting the moment of the podcasting boom with the largest progressive audience in Texas, reaching millions online monthly. As of the beginning of 2026 we enjoy user ratings of 4.9 out of 5 stars, and we're ranked in the top 2.5% of pods globally, more and more Texans who care about the future of our state, our nation and our planet are starting their day with Progress Texas. Subscribe today for our THREE shows that every Texas progressive should not miss. “The Daily Dispatch,” is published here each weekday morning, delivering the biggest news stories Texans need to know, all in less than 10 minutes! Our “Happy Hour” features insider analysis with a lighthearted take on major issues, events, and players in Texas politics. We highlight community leaders, elected officials, and everyday advocates to start conversations on the issues you care about. And last but not least, “In Progress” shares in an informal discussion on top stories of the week offering an unfiltered look at how Texan life and public policy intersect. In Progress is also heard on the radio in Houston - tune in to KPFT Radio every Friday morning at 10 and every Sunday morning at 11 in Houston, Texas, our state's biggest and most diverse city.We're also expanding audiences in 2026 to build a more representative democracy.The PT team is expanding to include Spanish-speaking media, increasing the reach of our progressive messages daily! You can help us reach our goal, with a donation today at https://progresstexas.org/donate.And, you can take our pro-democracy, pro-justice messages anywhere you go when you get the merch to match your values - high quality, Texas union-produced gear from our webstore, open 24/7 at https://store.progresstexas.org/.So once again, welcome to Progress Texas Podcasts. If you like what you hear, please consider becoming a recurring supporter, which comes with fun perks by the way - and If you ever have any feedback, or questions about how to get involved or support our work, you can reach us at info@progresstexas.org. Here's to Progress in 2026! Thanks for listening.
Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas:Our board at Progress Texas announces the following endorsements in the 2026 midterm elections:Gina Hinojosa for Texas GovernorSarah Eckhardt for Texas ComptrollerAlisa Simmons for Tarrant County JudgeTerry Virts for Houston's Congressional District 9Bobby Pulido for South Texas' Congressional District 15Kevin Burge for North Texas' Congressional District 24Texas school districts are beginning to react to pressure from Governor Greg Abbott and the Texas Education Agency to clamp down on student anti-ICE walkout protests: https://www.statesman.com/news/education/article/austin-isd-new-protest-rules-walkouts-21339794.phpRecent appearances on ABC's "The View" by Texas Senate candidates and Democrats Jasmine Crockett and James Talarico have apparently led to an investigation of the network by the Trump FCC, which has recently modified its rules regarding "equal time": https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-agency-investigating-if-abcs-the-view-violated-equal-time-rules-2026-02-07/As last night's Bad Bunny Super Bowl appearance seems set to achieve an all-time viewership record, the Kid Rock-headlined Turning Point USA alternative is panned as "half-assed lip sync": https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/kid-rock-tpusa-halftime-show-1235513161/Early voting in the March primary starts on February 17 - Fat Tuesday! The time to research your ballot is right now: https://apps.texastribune.org/features/2026/texas-march-2026-primary-ballot/?_bhlid=7d8eca3d2a16adc7c9b44185414443fa32be6d84All about voting in Texas can be found at GoVoteTexas.org. Voter registration updates for the March primary from the Austin Chronicle HERE and from KUT Austin HERE.Check out our web store, including our newly-expanded Humans Against Greg Abbott collection: https://store.progresstexas.org/Progress Texas is expanding into both broadcast radio - including a new partnership with KPFT-FM in Houston - and into Spanish language media! Make a tax-deductible contribution to our radio initiative HERE, and to our Spanish expansion HERE.Find our web store and other ways to support our important work at https://progresstexas.org.
Secular Houston founder and new Progress Texas Institute board member Wil Jeudy returns for a deep dive on an even more nutty week than usual in Texas politics, as we unpack the drama this week between former Congressman Colin Allred, State Rep. James Talarico, and Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett as the hopes of a friendly primary in the Senate race, held by most Texas Democrats, proved perhaps a tad bit naive. Can't we all just get along?We also discuss the recent trend of our high school (and middle school!) kids across Texas seeing what's happening with ICE, and standing up against it. The grumpy responses of Governor Greg Abbott and the TEA speak volumes, and to us, prove that our young people are on the RIGHT side of history.Learn more about Secular Houston at https://secularhouston.org/.Thanks for listening! Learn more about Progress Texas and how you can support our ongoing work at https://progresstexas.org/.
Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas:The Trump DOJ's move to "nationalize" and "clean" voter rolls via massive purges is being resisted by two dozen U.S. states - but not Texas, which has already handed over our full voter roll information: https://www.houstonchronicle.com/politics/article/trump-nationalize-texas-voter-rolls-21331488.php...Meanwhile Texas officials are failing to keep up with election schedule benchmarks, citing problems related to the recent redrawing of our congressional maps, January runoffs in Tarrant and Harris Counties, and software glitches: https://www.texastribune.org/2026/02/05/texas-voter-registration-card-delays-elections-2026/Republican candidates have been leaning in on hateful messages targeting Muslims in their campaign ads - an indicator that those messages find resonance among Texas Republican primary voters: https://www.kvue.com/article/news/politics/republicans-anti-islam-muslim-march-primary/269-6d2bba8d-9d88-4af7-bc4c-620a6acdd1bfGovernor Abbott is warning Texas high school and middle school kids that their "free speech" is limited to certain times and situations - and doesn't allow the ICE protest walkouts that have been happening across the state: https://www.fox7austin.com/news/texas-student-walkouts-continue-officials-warn-school-districtsWhile the proposed massive ICE detention center in the southeast D/FW town of Hutchins has seen growing opposition, there's also a similar and equally massive project underway in San Antonio: https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/local/texas/hutchins-texas-rumored-ice-facility-san-antonio-surprise-arizona/287-ac0b014d-543f-4b54-b402-2b00fc4a7d6b...An Oregon congresswoman was denied access to a Venezuelan family, including a 7 year old girl, who have now been held at the Dilley ICE detention facility for three weeks yesterday: https://www.oregonlive.com/pacific-northwest-news/2026/02/us-rep-denied-visit-with-detained-oregon-family-at-texas-center.htmlThe 39th Annual Texas Democratic Women's 2026 Convention is coming up February 6-8 in Austin, and Progress Texas is excited to take part! Get signed up: https://tdw.org/convention/Early voting in the March primary starts in mere weeks, on February 17 - the time to research your ballot is right now: https://apps.texastribune.org/features/2026/texas-march-2026-primary-ballot/?_bhlid=7d8eca3d2a16adc7c9b44185414443fa32be6d84All about voting in Texas can be found at GoVoteTexas.org. Voter registration updates for the March primary from the Austin Chronicle HERE and from KUT Austin HERE.Check out our web store, including our newly-expanded Humans Against Greg Abbott collection: https://store.progresstexas.org/Progress Texas is expanding into both broadcast radio - including a new partnership with KPFT-FM in Houston - and into Spanish language media! Make a tax-deductible contribution to our radio initiative HERE, and to our Spanish expansion HERE.Find our web store and other ways to support our important work at https://progresstexas.org.
We know what keeps our communities safe. Public safety comes in the form of strong communities and trusted leaders—not masked goons enabled by an authoritarian regime. Katharine Pichardo, CEO and President of Latino Victory, joins us to discuss how they're building lasting political power to protect and represent Latino communities across the nation and in Texas. Learn more about Latino Victory at https://latinovictory.org/.Thanks for listening! Learn more about Progress Texas and how to support our ongoing work at https://progresstexas.org/.
Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas:ICE is making its presence known in cities across Texas - in El Paso, officials at Camp East Montana have begun sending the bodies of detained immigrants who have died on their watch to an internal military hospital - not the local county medical examiner, where one recent such death was deemed a homicide: https://www.texastribune.org/2026/02/03/texas-ice-detention-deaths-autopsy-el-paso/...In Houston, the local ICE field office has issued a statement claiming a "1,300 percent increase" in protestor violence against its agents, implying that they plan to escalate the violence of their responses: https://www.click2houston.com/news/local/2026/02/03/law-and-order-will-prevail-houston-ice-condemns-student-led-walkouts-at-schools-across-texas/...In San Antonio, the local ICE field office will not reveal whether or not they plan to harass attendees of the upcoming San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo and Fiesta events, leading to calls for a local boycott of both: https://www.sacurrent.com/news/ice-wont-say-whether-its-targeting-san-antonio-rodeo-fiesta-for-enforcement-actions/...In Dallas, where controversy has developed over local restaurants and coffee shops welcoming ICE agents to patronize, advice from a local food writer that they adopt instead a "no assholes" policy: https://www.dmagazine.com/food-drink/2026/02/how-ice-enforcement-affects-restaurant-industry/The 39th Annual Texas Democratic Women's 2026 Convention is coming up February 6-8 in Austin, and Progress Texas is excited to take part! Get signed up: https://tdw.org/convention/Early voting in the March primary starts in mere weeks, on February 17 - the time to research your ballot is right now: https://apps.texastribune.org/features/2026/texas-march-2026-primary-ballot/?_bhlid=7d8eca3d2a16adc7c9b44185414443fa32be6d84All about voting in Texas can be found at GoVoteTexas.org. Voter registration updates for the March primary from the Austin Chronicle HERE and from KUT Austin HERE.Check out our web store, including our newly-expanded Humans Against Greg Abbott collection: https://store.progresstexas.org/Progress Texas is expanding into both broadcast radio - including a new partnership with KPFT-FM in Houston - and into Spanish language media! Make a tax-deductible contribution to our radio initiative HERE, and to our Spanish expansion HERE.Find our web store and other ways to support our important work at https://progresstexas.org.
Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas:Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett weighs in on the racial turmoil that has erupted between her competitor Rep. James Talarico and former Congressman Colin Allred: https://www.star-telegram.com/news/politics-government/state-politics/article314552282.html...Racial tensions have undercut recent enthusiasm among Texas Democrats spurred by Taylor Rehmet's SD 9 win and Christian Menefee's win for the U.S. House in CD 18: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/03/us/politics/texas-democratic-primary-senate.html...In both of those recent regional wins, local organizing turns out to have been key: https://www.lonestarleft.com/p/two-elections-two-lessons-for-texas...Republicans have race-related problems as well, as Texas Latinos appear to have turned on Donald Trump in droves: https://www.politico.com/news/2026/02/03/republicans-hispanic-voters-texas-special-00763560The 39th Annual Texas Democratic Women's 2026 Convention is coming up February 6-8 in Austin, and Progress Texas is excited to take part! Get signed up: https://tdw.org/convention/Early voting in the March primary starts in mere weeks, on February 17 - the time to research your ballot is right now: https://apps.texastribune.org/features/2026/texas-march-2026-primary-ballot/?_bhlid=7d8eca3d2a16adc7c9b44185414443fa32be6d84All about voting in Texas can be found at GoVoteTexas.org. Voter registration updates for the March primary from the Austin Chronicle HERE and from KUT Austin HERE.Check out our web store, including our newly-expanded Humans Against Greg Abbott collection: https://store.progresstexas.org/Progress Texas is expanding into both broadcast radio - including a new partnership with KPFT-FM in Houston - and into Spanish language media! Make a tax-deductible contribution to our radio initiative HERE, and to our Spanish expansion HERE.Find our web store and other ways to support our important work at https://progresstexas.org.
We welcome back Congresswoman Julie Johnson, whom as you may know is in the midst of the second year of her first term representing Dallas' CD 32, while also running for the newly drawn CD 33 as a result of the recent Donald Trump-ordered and Greg Abbott-delivered carving up of Texas' congressional map. We got an update on the hard work she's doing both in D.C., and on the campaign trail in Texas.Learn more about Rep. Julie Johnson and her campaign at https://juliejohnson.com/.Thanks for listening! Learn more about Progress Texas and how to support our ongoing work at https://progresstexas.org/.
Stories we're following at Progress Texas:Throwing cold water on the enthusiasm Texas progressives were enjoying early Monday after the Taylor Rehmet win in SD 9 and the regaining of representation for CD 18 with Christian Menefee's swearing in, former Congressman Colin Allred, citing an online influencer, has publicly accused U.S. Senate candidate James Talarico of racism: https://www.texastribune.org/2026/02/02/texas-us-senate-democratic-primary-colin-allred-james-talarico-mediocre-black-man-tiktok/Congressman Menefee's swearing-in in D.C. yesterday: https://youtu.be/9QaLOrXQ2oI?si=q58L3sQWcQ0BD9oqThe 39th Annual Texas Democratic Women's 2026 Convention is coming up February 6-8 in Austin, and Progress Texas is excited to take part! Get signed up: https://tdw.org/convention/Early voting in the March primary starts in mere weeks, on February 17 - the time to research your ballot is right now: https://apps.texastribune.org/features/2026/texas-march-2026-primary-ballot/?_bhlid=7d8eca3d2a16adc7c9b44185414443fa32be6d84All about voting in Texas can be found at GoVoteTexas.org. Voter registration updates for the March primary from the Austin Chronicle HERE and from KUT Austin HERE.Check out our web store, including our newly-expanded Humans Against Greg Abbott collection: https://store.progresstexas.org/Progress Texas is expanding into both broadcast radio - including a new partnership with KPFT-FM in Houston - and into Spanish language media! Make a tax-deductible contribution to our radio initiative HERE, and to our Spanish expansion HERE.Find our web store and other ways to support our important work at https://progresstexas.org.
Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas:A resounding win by Democrat Taylor Rehmet over Republican Leigh Wambsganss in Tarrant County's SD 9 proves that hard work pays off, and that voters even in reliably Republican territory are souring on the disaster of Donald Trump: https://www.texastribune.org/2026/02/02/texas-senate-district-9-special-election-taylor-rehmet-upset-latino-suburban-backlash/Houston's runoff in CD 18 ends with Christian Menefee the next Texan to join the U.S. House of Representatives, with a rematch in mere weeks with Amanda Edwards - and Congressman Al Green - https://www.texastribune.org/2026/02/02/texas-18th-congressional-district-menefee-edwards-green-primary-succession-age-houston/ProPublica reporting has revealed that South Texans Jesus Ochoa and Raymundo Gutierrez were the Border Patrol agents who shot Alex Pretti in Minneapolis: https://www.propublica.org/article/alex-pretti-shooting-cbp-agents-identified-jesus-ochoa-raymundo-gutierrezThe 39th Annual Texas Democratic Women's 2026 Convention is coming up February 6-8 in Austin, and Progress Texas is excited to take part! Get signed up: https://tdw.org/convention/Early voting in the March primary starts in mere weeks, on February 17 - the time to research your ballot is right now: https://apps.texastribune.org/features/2026/texas-march-2026-primary-ballot/?_bhlid=7d8eca3d2a16adc7c9b44185414443fa32be6d84All about voting in Texas can be found at GoVoteTexas.org. Voter registration updates for the March primary from the Austin Chronicle HERE and from KUT Austin HERE.Check out our web store, including our newly-expanded Humans Against Greg Abbott collection: https://store.progresstexas.org/Progress Texas is expanding into both broadcast radio - including a new partnership with KPFT-FM in Houston - and into Spanish language media! Make a tax-deductible contribution to our radio initiative HERE, and to our Spanish expansion HERE.Find our web store and other ways to support our important work at https://progresstexas.org.
Here's a full run of the Stop Ice rally on Saturday afternoon - one of hundreds of such events that happened across the nation this weekend as America stirs from its slumber to begin addressing the real nightmare our country now faces. Austin City Council Member Zo Qadri emceed a lineup of great speeches today, from:The Reverend Dr. Daryl Horton of Mount Zion Baptist Church in Austin (04:58)Fort Worth State Rep. and Chair of the Texas Mexican American Legislative Caucus Ramon Romero (08:04)Immigration attorney Ruth Gindel (12:32)Texas mom Evelyn. whose husband Francisco has been disappeared by ICE: (18:07, in Spanish with English translation)Austin community advocate David Cincanchin (26:53)Austin U.S. Congressman Greg Casar (32:22)San Antonio U.S. Congressman Joaquin Castro and Obama administration HUD Secretary Julian Castro (42:45)Austin State Rep. and gubernatorial candidate Gina Hinojosa (49:50)Round Rock State Rep. and U.S. Senate candidate James Talarico (58:54)Thanks for listening! Learn more about Progress Texas and how you can support our ongoing work at https://progresstexas.org/.
Democratic Congressman Vicente Gonzales - along with fellow South Texas Congressman Henry Cuellar - has become known for breaking ranks with his party and supporting the initiatives of Trump's GOP. Is the notion that "the Valley is different" - that intrinsic social conservatism in South Texas justifies these two Democrats' frequent undermining of their party's goals - one based in fact, or is it just an excuse? Dr. Etienne Rosas, who is challenging Congressman Gonzalez in South Texas' 34th congressional district, has strong opinions about that particular question.Learn more about Dr. Etienne Rosas and his campaign at https://www.rosasforcongress.com/.Thanks for listening! Learn more about Progress Texas and how you can support our ongoing work at https://progresstexas.org/.
Starting today with Friday's national shutdown day and continuing through a weekend of rallies and protests scheduled across the country - again - America and Texas appear to be awakening to the fact that the nightmare of authoritarianism is no longer a dream - it's the real deal. We're joined this week by Richardson City Council Member and CD 32 congressional candidate Dan Barrios to discuss the events of yet another week that felt like a year.Learn more about Dan and his campaign at https://www.danbarriosforcongress.com/.Thanks for listening! Learn more about Progress Texas and how you can support our ongoing work at https://progresstexas.org/.
Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas:As a weekend of protest dawns, reports emerge of a Texas DPS crackdown on a group of peaceful protestors outside the ICE detention facility at Dilley on Wednesday: https://www.sacurrent.com/news/eveything-we-saw-at-dilley-protest/A national shutdown of work, school and spending has been called by a coalition of activist groups: https://www.elpasotimes.com/story/news/immigration/2026/01/30/ice-out-jan-30-anti-ice-protests-planned-across-us-today/88417918007/...Learn more and find events near you: https://nationalshutdown.org/...Potential prosecution related to the death - ruled official a homicide - of Cuban immigrant Geraldo Lunas Campos at the East Montana detention camp at Fort Bliss is uncertain, as it occurred on federally-controlled property: https://www.texastribune.org/2026/01/29/texas-el-paso-migrant-death-ice-custody-autopsy-prosecution/Election Day arrives tomorrow for both voters in Houston's CD 18: https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/article/cd18-early-voting-reminder-21318224.php...And in Tarrant County's State Senate District 9: https://lonestarproject.net/2026/01/09/proud-to-serve-vs-paid-to-hate/The 39th Annual Texas Democratic Women's 2026 Convention is coming up February 6-8 in Austin, and Progress Texas is excited to take part! Get signed up: https://tdw.org/convention/Early voting in the March primary starts in mere weeks, on February 17 - the time to research your ballot is right now: https://apps.texastribune.org/features/2026/texas-march-2026-primary-ballot/?_bhlid=7d8eca3d2a16adc7c9b44185414443fa32be6d84All about voting in Texas can be found at GoVoteTexas.org. Voter registration updates for the March primary from the Austin Chronicle HERE and from KUT Austin HERE.Check out our web store, including our newly-expanded Humans Against Greg Abbott collection: https://store.progresstexas.org/Progress Texas is expanding into both broadcast radio - including a new partnership with KPFT-FM in Houston - and into Spanish language media! Make a tax-deductible contribution to our radio initiative HERE, and to our Spanish expansion HERE.Find our web store and other ways to support our important work at https://progresstexas.org.
The Texas Secretary of State just turned over every registered voter in Texas' private voter information (like your birthdate and the last digits of your Social Security number) to the Donald Trump Department of Justice. So, what happens now? Voting rights experts Matt Cohen, a reporter with Democracy Docket delivering national coverage on this story, and Ashley Harris, a Staff Attorney with ACLU Texas joined us to break down why Trump and the DOJ have a mandate out to every US state, how Texas fits into this national push and subsequent lawsuits, plus who has your private data. Learn more about ACLU Texas at https://www.aclutx.org/.Learn more about Democracy Docket at https://www.democracydocket.com/.Thanks for listening! Learn more about Progress Texas and how you can support our ongoing work at https://progresstexas.org/.
Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas:Texas U.S. Reps Joaquin Castro and Jasmine Crockett toured the ICE immigration detention facility at Dilley yesterday, and are now demanding the release of five-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos: https://www.fox7austin.com/news/ice-texas-democrats-release-liam-conejo-ramos-dilley-facility...A St. Edward's University social work professor says that Trump and Texas are inflicting permanent harm upon children and families with their current incarceration practices: https://www.statesman.com/opinion/columns/your-voice/article/opinion-texas-values-children-reject-family-21320114.phpThe CD 18 runoff in Houston sees one more day of early voting today and represents the end of an 18-month gap in long-term representation for those citizens: https://www.texastribune.org/2026/01/29/houston-18th-congressional-district-special-election-runoff-edwards-menefee/...While the runoff in Texas Senate District 9 in Tarrant County represents a dire warning for Republicans who have dominated the Fort Worth suburbs for decades: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/29/us/politics/taylor-rehmet-leigh-wambsganss-texas-election.htmlEarly voting in the March primary starts in mere weeks, on February 17 - the time to research your ballot is right now: https://apps.texastribune.org/features/2026/texas-march-2026-primary-ballot/?_bhlid=7d8eca3d2a16adc7c9b44185414443fa32be6d84All about voting in Texas can be found at GoVoteTexas.org. Voter registration updates for the March primary from the Austin Chronicle HERE and from KUT Austin HERE.Check out our web store, including our newly-expanded Humans Against Greg Abbott collection: https://store.progresstexas.org/Progress Texas is expanding into both broadcast radio - including a new partnership with KPFT-FM in Houston - and into Spanish language media! Make a tax-deductible contribution to our radio initiative HERE, and to our Spanish expansion HERE.Find our web store and other ways to support our important work at https://progresstexas.org.
Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas:A federal judge has ordered that five-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos, grabbed with his father in Minneapolis last week and rushed to a Texas detention lockup, not be deported until his case can be reviewed: https://kstp.com/kstp-news/local-news/judge-blocks-transfer-of-5-year-old-liam-ramos-father-from-texas-detention-facility/...Immigration attorneys in Minnesota are decrying ICE's "conveyor belt" system, designed to swiftly relocate children from that state to Texas faster than the courts can react: https://www.mprnews.org/story/2026/01/28/ice-detaining-moving-minnesota-children-to-texas-faster-than-courts-can-respond...ICE and the Department of Homeland Security appear to have repeatedly and systematically violated the 1997 Flores Settlement: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/may/22/trump-children-flores-settlement-agreement...Dozens of Texas Democratic lawmakers are demanding the release of Leqaa Kordia, who has been held for almost a year at the ICE lockup in Alvarado - she's suspected of having been targeted by ICE for speaking out against the Gaza conflict: https://www.borderreport.com/hot-topics/immigration/texas-lawmakers-demand-release-of-palestinian-woman/...A young Arlington man whose father has been detained by ICE since October has died - his family now pleads for the father to be allowed to attend his son's funeral: https://www.dallasnews.com/news/2026/01/25/disabled-son-of-arlington-man-arrested-by-ice-dies-from-rare-disease/...A large crowd of angry Houstonians descended upon a Houston City Council meeting on Tuesday night, demanding changes to their city's ICE policies: https://abc13.com/post/houston-city-council-meeting-erupts-calls-end-ice-cooperation/18488930/...Dallas Congressman Marc Veasey takes to the Dallas Morning News to decry the quiet reinstatement of an ICE prosecutor found to have been running a racist, neo-Nazi Twitter account: https://www.dallasnews.com/opinion/commentary/2026/01/26/congressman-white-supremacists-have-no-place-in-our-government/...D/FW coffee chain White Rhino Coffee has seen several employees quit over the chain's policy of extending a first responder discount to ICE agents: https://www.axios.com/local/dallas/2026/01/27/white-rhino-coffee-employees-quit-over-companys-stance-on-ice-agents...D/FW religious leaders have convened in opposition to the development of a huge new ICE detention facility in the little town of Hutchins, Texas: https://www.dallasobserver.com/news/dallas-religious-leaders-speak-against-planned-ice-facility-40637475/Early voting in the March primary starts in mere weeks, on February 17 - the time to research your ballot is right now: https://apps.texastribune.org/features/2026/texas-march-2026-primary-ballot/?_bhlid=7d8eca3d2a16adc7c9b44185414443fa32be6d84Check out our web store, including our newly-expanded Humans Against Greg Abbott collection: https://store.progresstexas.org/Progress Texas is expanding into both broadcast radio - including a new partnership with KPFT-FM in Houston - and into Spanish language media! Make a tax-deductible contribution to our radio initiative HERE, and to our Spanish expansion HERE.Find our web store and other ways to support our important work at https://progresstexas.org.
An important note: this discussion involves the March primary, NOT the ongoing special election runoffs in Houston's CD 18 and Tarrant County's State Senate District 9 - it is specific to the March primary's Election Day on Tuesday March 3, and specific to voters in Dallas and Williamson Counties.The county Republican Parties of Williamson and Dallas Counties have chosen to eliminate countywide voting sites on Election Day of the primary, Tuesday March 3 - which means that voters in those counties, who have become accustomed to voting with convenience through the final day, may be surprised to learn that they must vote at specific locations geared to their addresses on that last day of voting - a move guaranteed to result in the disenfranchisement of voters who find themselves in the wrong location, and out of time, as the 2026 primary election ends. To talk about how (and why) this has happened, we welcome Dallas Democratic Party Chair Kardal Coleman, and Williamson County Democratic Party Chair Kim Gilby.Everything you need to know to be sure your registration is in order and that you're ready to roll in this crucial mid-term election year can be found at https://govotetexas.org/.Thanks for listening! Learn more about Progress Texas and how you can support our ongoing work at https://progresstexas.org/.
Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas:Donald Trump, Greg Abbott, Ted Cruz and other MAGA leaders are backtracking on their commitment to the ICE occupation of Minneapolis - but not all are discovering their latent humanity: https://www.texastribune.org/2026/01/26/minneapolis-shooting-federal-agents-texas-republicans-respond-mccaul-investigation/...The deliberate mirroring of 1930's Nazi imagery in ICE recruitment and the style of Gregory Bovino is noteworthy as a strategy of assembling a corps of "ideologically hardened" troopers: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/america-ice-fascism-bovino-b2907803.html...An El Paso judge will hear the petition of the family of a Cuban immigrant who died recently in the Camp East Montana ICE detention facility to keep witnesses to his death from being deported: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2026/01/26/cuban-migrant-death-texas-ice-federal-court-geraldo-lunas-campos/88370555007/...Texas U.S. Reps Jasmine Crockett and Joaquin Castro are set to inspect the South Texas Family Residential Center at Dilley amidst reports of immigrant uprisings and deplorable conditions: https://www.tpr.org/border-immigration/2026-01-26/castro-calls-for-ice-to-be-dismantled-noem-impeached?_amp=trueEarly voting in the CD-18 special election runoff has been extended to Wednesday and Thursday to make up for weather closures earlier this week: https://www.khou.com/article/news/local/harris-county-early-voting-district-18-special-election/285-d3191f89-9215-4dd8-b6bb-8eb5a98dc47c...A similar extension is possible in Tarrant County, but the local Democratic Party there is not pressing for an early voting extension out of distrust of the Republican-dominated Tarrant County Commissioner's Court to fairly count all ballots: https://www.star-telegram.com/news/politics-government/article314462119.htmlEarly voting in the March primary starts in mere weeks, on February 17 - the time to research your ballot is right now: https://apps.texastribune.org/features/2026/texas-march-2026-primary-ballot/?_bhlid=7d8eca3d2a16adc7c9b44185414443fa32be6d84Check out our web store, including our newly-expanded Humans Against Greg Abbott collection: https://store.progresstexas.org/Progress Texas is expanding into both broadcast radio - including a new partnership with KPFT-FM in Houston - and into Spanish language media! Make a tax-deductible contribution to our radio initiative HERE, and to our Spanish expansion HERE.Thanks for listening! Our monthly donors form the backbone of our funding, and if you're a regular, we'd like to invite you to join the team! Find our web store and other ways to support our important work at https://progresstexas.org.
Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas:The horrifying murder of Alex Pretti in Minneapolis has lent a sense of dread to the iced-in situation most of Texas is enduring, and has proven that ICE holds zero regard for the safety of either their supposed undocumented targets, or that of the citizens in their midst: https://en.newsner.com/news/body-language-expert-tells-people-pay-very-close-attention-to-man-in-gray-jacket-after-alex-pretti-shooting/...GOP Texas Congressman Michael McCaul, likely emboldened by his impending retirement, is calling for an investigation of the Pretti killing: https://www.chron.com/news/article/texas-republican-alex-pretti-minneapolis-21314647.php...Horror appears to be developing within the walls of the South Texas Family Residential Center at Dilley, from within which the screams of women and children can be heard: https://x.com/scottbraddock/status/2015772110707106117?s=20...Immigrant families gathered in protest there over the weekend: https://www.texastribune.org/2026/01/24/immigration-facility-protest-texas-liam-conejo-ramos/...A second federal government shutdown is more likely than it was last week as Senate Democrats are motivated to block ICE funding in the DHS bill passed by the House last week with the help of several Democratic defectors, including Vicente Gonzalez and Henry Cuellar: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2026-election/democrats-call-ice-overhaul-texas-senate-debate-hours-minnesota-shooti-rcna255593...New YouGov polling shows a rapid deterioration of public support for ICE, even among Republicans: https://today.yougov.com/politics/articles/53939-more-americans-support-than-oppose-abolishing-ice-immigration-minneapolis-shooting-poll...Both Jasmine Crockett and James Talarico addressed the Alex Pretti killing in their remarks during their first debate on Saturday: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/special-live-pod-the-first-crockett-talarico-debate/id1552998795?i=1000746510088The freeze has impacted early voting in the SD-9 special election runoff, but most polls are expected to be open as of 10am today: https://www.tarrantcountytx.gov/en/elections.html...The CD-18 election in Houston has been similarly impacted, and a lawsuit has been filed to allow more time for early voting later this week: https://www.houstonpublicmedia.org/articles/voting/2026/01/25/541594/early-voting-houston-winter-storm-18th-congressional-district-runoff/Early voting in the March primary starts in mere weeks, on February 17 - the time to research your ballot is right now: https://apps.texastribune.org/features/2026/texas-march-2026-primary-ballot/?_bhlid=7d8eca3d2a16adc7c9b44185414443fa32be6d84Check out our web store, including our newly-expanded Humans Against Greg Abbott collection: https://store.progresstexas.org/Progress Texas is expanding into both broadcast radio - including a new partnership with KPFT-FM in Houston - and into Spanish language media! Make a tax-deductible contribution to our radio initiative HERE, and to our Spanish expansion HERE.Thanks for listening! Our monthly donors form the backbone of our funding, and if you're a regular, we'd like to invite you to join the team! Find our web store and other ways to support our important work at https://progresstexas.org.
As our ongoing series of live debates continues, we present a discussion between the Democratic candidates for Texas Attorney General: Dallas State Senator Nathan Johnson and former Galveston Mayor Joe Jaworski (attorney Tony Box is also running, but declined to participate in this debate). Thanks to the Richardson Area Democrats for organizing and allowing us to participate!Learn more about RAD at https://rad.vote/.Thanks for listening! Learn more about Progress Texas and how you can support our ongoing work at https://progresstexas.org/.
U.S. Senate hopefuls and longtime colleagues Jasmine Crockett and James Talarico met in debate for the first time this afternoon as part of the Texas AFL/CIO's COPE Convention in Georgetown. This pod presents the full debate, largely unedited.Our thanks to our friends at Texas AFL/CIO for the access today! Learn more about them at https://texasaflcio.org/.Thanks for listening! Learn more about Progress Texas and how you can support our ongoing work at https://progresstexas.org/.
As the state heads into another winter storm - ready or not - the crew convenes to discuss our state's tendency to panic when the weather gets bad (who can blame us?), this week's latest ugliness perpetrated by ICE and the multiple connections to Texas, Ken Paxton's freewheeling use of AI deepfakes in attacking John Cornyn, and more. Joining us is Houston businessman and Democratic candidate for Texas Comptroller, Michael Lange.Learn more about Michael Lange and his campaign at https://texansforlange.com/.Thanks for listening! Learn more about Progress Texas and how you can support our ongoing work at https://progresstexas.org/.
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