October 12, 2025
NEWS DIGEST
by Brandon Waltens
Good morning,
The State Republican Executive Committee has declined to remove any incumbent lawmakers from the primary ballot in 2026, after considering a slate of censure resolutions during a special meeting on Saturday.
The SREC considered ten potential censures against GOP lawmakers, ultimately rejecting half of them and declining to use the strictest penalty available under party rules: removal from the primary ballot.
Under Rule 44, local party committees may censure a Republican officeholder who has taken three or more actions in opposition to the party’s principles or legislative priorities. If such a resolution is sent to the SREC, the state committee may, by a three-fifths vote, impose penalties.
The censures, brought under Rule 44 of the Republican Party of Texas, targeted Speaker Dustin Burrows and nine other House members.
Those penalties can include withholding party resources, publicly discouraging the officeholder from running, or, in the most severe case, refusing to allow them on the Republican primary ballot for two years.
In the end, the committee voted to concur with five censure resolutions for State Reps. Dade Phelan, Angelia Orr, Jared Patterson, Stan Lambert, and Gary VanDeaver but stopped short of invoking the “ballot ban” option approved by delegates at last year’s convention.
All five censures were limited to formal reprimands and the potential to have the party spend money against them. Two of the censured lawmakers, Phelan and Lambert, are not seeking reelection.
The SREC declined to concur with censure resolutions against Speaker Dustin Burrows and State Reps. Angie Chen Button, Cody Harris, Jeff Leach, and Morgan Meyer.
Featured
Attorney General Ken Paxton has joined the Republican Party of Texas in its legal effort to close the state’s GOP primary elections, filing a joint motion with the party to strike down what it calls an unconstitutional provision of the Texas Election Code.
The motion, filed Thursday, supports the party’s ongoing lawsuit against the State of Texas and Secretary of State Jane Nelson. That lawsuit argues that Texas’ open primary system—which allows Democrats and independents to vote in Republican primaries—violates the GOP’s First Amendment right to free association.
Real Texans
For this week's edition of Real Texans, Michael visits with Sara Gonzales. They talk about her work on The Blaze, her show with Texas Scorecard, and what inspires her to pursue citizen-journalism.
New interviews with REAL TEXANS every Sunday!
Congressional Maps on Trial
Texas Redistricting Trial Day 7: State Witnesses Challenge Claims of Racial Bias
Witnesses called by the State affirmed that the map was driven by partisan factors, not racial ones.
Redistricting Trial Day 8: Texas Lawmakers Defend Process, Intent
The case is set to determine whether Texas’ new congressional boundaries may be used in the 2026 elections.
Texas Redistricting Trial Day 9: Final Witness Testimony & Closing Arguments
The outcome of this case will determine whether Texas’ new congressional map is used for the 2026 midterm elections.
State
Court of Criminal Appeals Delays Execution of Convicted Child Killer Robert Roberson
Roberson was slated to be executed on October 16 for the murder of two-year-old Nikki Curtis.
Regents Appoint DEI Advocate as Texas A&M-Victoria President
Christian Hardigree has a background in “diversity” and “sustainability.”
Abbott Cracks Down on Political Messages on Texas Streets
Rainbow crosswalks could cost Texas cities millions in state funding.
Local
Central Texas School District Confirms ‘Alphabet Soup’ Club on Hold Pending Review
A new state law prohibits school districts from authorizing or sponsoring a student club based on sexual orientation or gender identity.
Houston Announces New $16 Million Low-Barrier Homeless ‘Super Hub’
The City of Houston is spending $16 million to turn a former migrant shelter into a homeless “super hub”—a facility officials say will streamline access to services, but critics warn will damage the city’s image ahead of international events.
Celina ISD Middle School Coach Faces New Child Porn Charge
Moore Middle School teacher/coach Caleb Elliott was arrested last week on a charge of invasive visual recording.
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