July 6, 2025
NEWS DIGEST
by Brandon Waltens
Good morning,
The Texas Senate is on track to see a significant shakeup next session, with four senators already announcing they won’t be returning—setting the stage for a wave of races and shifting political dynamics in the upper chamber.
The first domino fell in April, when State Sen. Mayes Middleton (R–Galveston) declared his candidacy for attorney general, leaving his seat open after just one term. While Middleton will have to give up his Senate position to pursue statewide office, another Republican senator vying for the same job—Joan Huffman (R–Houston)—will not. Huffman, who chairs the Senate Finance Committee, isn’t up for re-election until 2028, allowing her a free ride as she enters the attorney general race.
State Rep. Dennis Paul (R–Houston) was quick to announce his campaign for Middleton’s seat.
State Sen. Robert Nichols (R–Jacksonville), one of the longest-serving members of the Senate, has also announced he won’t be seeking re-election. Nichols has represented East Texas in the chamber since 2007. His retirement has prompted early interest in the seat, with both State Rep. Trent Ashby (R–Lufkin) and State Republican Executive Committee member Rhonda Ward launching campaigns to succeed him.
Another vacancy came even sooner. With State Sen. Kelly Hancock (R–North Richland Hills) having stepped down early to serve as acting comptroller, a special election has been set for November to fill the remainder of his term. Republican activist Leigh Wambsganss and Democrat Taylor Rehmet have both launched campaigns for the seat.
And just last week, State Sen. Brian Birdwell (R–Granbury) became the latest to bow out, announcing he would not seek re-election after more than 15 years in office. State Rep. David Cook (R–Mansfield), who was recently the Republican Caucus’ nominee for House speaker, has entered the race for Birdwell’s seat.
Notably, some candidates have already received the endorsement of Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, including Dennis Paul in the race to succeed Middleton and Leigh Wambsganss in the special election to replace Hancock.
Featured
Republicans are urging Texas Gov. Greg Abbott to add congressional redistricting to a special legislative session this summer.
Redrawing the state’s congressional district maps ahead of the 2026 midterm elections could help the GOP maintain a majority in the U.S. House and continue President Donald Trump’s America First agenda.
Republicans currently hold 25 of Texas’ 38 U.S. House seats. Democrats hold 12 seats and are expected to keep a thirteenth when voters fill a vacancy in a November 4 special election.
In total, the Republican-Democrat split in the U.S. House is 220-212, with three vacant seats previously held by Democrats.
Redrawn maps could shift a handful of Texas congressional districts to favor Republicans.
Real Texans
In this edition of REAL TEXANS, Michael speaks with Bryan Burrough and discusses his new book, “Gunfighters: How Texans Made The West Wild.” The discussion covers Burrough’s career in financial journalism, his transition into historical nonfiction, and the importance of looking at history with clarity.
New interviews with REAL TEXANS every Sunday!
State
Texas Joins 6 Other States in Banning Lab-Grown Meat
Liberal billionaire Bill Gates has been a strong proponent of both lab-grown and plant-based “meat,” calling it the future for wealthy countries.
Legislators Warn Universities to Comply With Federal Ruling on Discounted Tuition for Illegals
Lawmakers say the burden is on university leaders to ensure compliance.
Texas Schools To Implement New Regulations for Student Cell Phone Use
In May, the Texas Legislature passed a measure requiring that schools regulate cell phone use to reduce classroom distractions.
Local
FBI Houston Arrests Chinese National for Spying on US Navy
Another Chinese national was arrested in Oregon, and the pair are accused of surveilling U.S. military personnel and facilities.
School Superintendent Investigated for Failure To Report Student’s Alleged Sex Crime
Union Grove ISD Superintendent Kelly Moore is suspected of failing to report a student’s alleged invasive visual recording of another student while on campus.
Ex-Houston ICE Officer Arrested for Bribery, Shielding Criminal Aliens From Deportation
Prosecutors allege the scheme allowed individuals in the Harris County Jail to be released on bond, sidestepping federal removal proceedings.
Federal
HHS Halts Gender Ideology Funding in Teen Pregnancy Prevention Program
The notice follows a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision affirming parents’ right to protect their children from content undermining their religious beliefs.
22 Houston Cases Named in Justice Department’s $15 Billion Healthcare Fraud Crackdown
Federal prosecutors have charged more than 320 individuals in the largest healthcare fraud operation in U.S. history.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Join the conversation with Texas Scorecard on any or all of our social media accounts!
The Texas Scorecard Journalism Fellowship is a comprehensive program designed for conservative Texans under the age of 25 with an interest in public policy, effective civic engagement, political accountability, and Texas history.
