Democratic Presidential Candidate Tom Steyer Hires A Texas Campaign Director

This week in Texas politics with The Texas Tribune.

By Rhonda FanningJanuary 24, 2020 1:07 pm,

It’s time for the week that was in Texas politics with Alex Samuels, political reporter for The Texas Tribune.

Democratic presidential candidate Tom Steyer has hired a director for his Texas campaign operation. Fellow candidates Joe Biden, Mike Bloomberg and Elizabeth Warren have all hired Texas leaders, too.

Republican Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has said he may change procedures for bringing bills to the floor of the Texas Senate. The change would reduce the number of votes required to bring a bill to the Senate floor from 19 to 16. There are currently 19 Republicans in the Senate. If Republicans lose one or more seats this November, the lower threshold would protect the party’s ability to introduce bills without Democratic support.

Samuels says at least one state Senate seat currently held by a Republican is at risk of flipping to a Democrat in November.

“Sen. Pete Flores is running for reelection in a historically Democratic district after winning his seat in a 2018 special election,” Samuels says.

Texas Sen. Ted Cruz has launched a daily podcast. Samuels says the show focuses on the impeachment trial of President Donald Trump, currently underway in the U.S. Senate. Each episode is around 25 minutes, and is also available as a video on YouTube.

 

Written by Shelly Brisbin.