Behind the scenes of Travis County’s high-speed election schedule Mid-April marks first day of early voting in one of the first three elections Travis County will conduct in two months.

www.statesman.com/news/politic...

The ‘odd couple of democracy’ behind Travis County’s ballot count In Travis County, a Democrat and a Republican review ballots together, offering a rare window into how election integrity works on the ground.

NEW: National rhetoric over election integrity continues to trickle down to affect local and statewide election operations—Travis County is not immune

So, how do Travis County officials confront it?

First set of features out w/ the Austin American-Statesman

www.statesman.com/news/politic...

Faith Bugenhagen - Austin American-Statesman <p>Faith Bugenhagen is a breaking and trending reporter for the Austin American-Statesman. Before coming to Austin, Faith spent over 3 years covering the Houston area for Houston Press and Chron, writ...

If you're in Austin, let's grab coffee ☕ and chat. If you want to follow along for the ride and keep up to date with my bylines:
www.statesman.com/author/faith...

Hi 👋 longtime no see @bsky.app I am back on apologizes for the hiatus, returning with some news to share, I've relocated to Austin within the last month and started working as a breaking news reporter at the Austin American-Statesman.

My coverage will largely stay the same, just in a new place!

@fbugenhagen.bsky.social is leaving houston -- week ruined.
#htx

Conservative activist says TCU canceled her Turning Point talk "This is how free speech dies."

Good stuff from @fbugenhagen.bsky.social: Chloe Cole says TCU cancelled her event with the local TPUSA chapter. But TCU says the event wasn't cancelled — because it was never actually booked. www.chron.com/politics/art...

"I'm not going to be part of that process that gives [Trump] more reinforcement to harm my community and my people." Texas State Rep. Nicole Collier is being held in the State Capitol for refusing to comply with a Republican demand that she allow herself to be chaperoned by police.

'I would not use the word slept': Inside the all-nighter at the Texas Capitol This extra bit of humiliation of [us]...was too much for [Collier]..."

NEW: @genefortexas.bsky.social talks to @chron.com talks about his night spent in support of Nicole Collier's protest refusing a DPS escort

www.chron.com/politics/art...

Letitia Plummer launches bid for Harris County's top job "I am in this race to ensure there will be a true Democrat in this seat..."

BREAKING: Houston City Council At-Large member Letitia Plummer wants Harris County's top job—and a new direction for the county.

She exclusively discusses her plans and campaign as she officially launches her bid for county judge @chron.com
www.chron.com/politics/art...

Texas lawmaker may have just spilled plans to take on Dan Crenshaw The race for Texas District 2 might've just started—by accident.

NEW: In an apparent circulated text message, State Rep. Steve Toth appears to have accidentally launched his campaign for U.S. Rep. Dan Crenshaw's congressional seat @chron.com
www.chron.com/politics/art...

Can an East Texas farmer upset Greg Abbott for governor? Abbott is "tearing up everything we've built, kissing up to bullies and billionaires..."

NEW: Spoke with Democrat @bobbyfortx.bsky.social, who launched his campaign for Texas governor on Monday.

He describes himself as a "traditional Democrat," drawing inspiration from the Lone Star State's own Lyndon B. Johnson. @chron.com

www.chron.com/politics/art...

Dan Patrick dares Texans to vote him out over THC ban "What kind of state do we want?... Do we want everybody high?

Interesting approach!

✍️ @fbugenhagen.bsky.social

www.chron.com/politics/art...

In the recording, which we at @chron.com were also sent, Ogg, who is gay, ranted about how she doesn't know what all the letters in "LGBTQ+" mean, which I interpreted as a dig at the increased visibility of transgender people:

Mattress Mack's latest bet? Turning Harris County red "Together, we can take back Harris County!"

NEW: Mattress store mogul turned GOP activist Jim "Mattress Mack" McIngvale is set to be the keynote speaker at next month's launch of the Harris County MAGA PAC

The PAC seeks to restore "American Exceptionalism" principles in Harris County @chron.com
www.chron.com/politics/art...

Kim Ogg goes full red: Calls for GOP takeover of Harris County "Over the last eight years, we've had hell in Texas, here in Harris County."

ICYMI: At a closed-door meeting of local Republicans, former Harris County DA Kim Ogg condemned Democratic leadership and urged for the GOP to dominate Harris County in 2026 @chron.com
www.chron.com/politics/art...

Some Democrats think a Texas politician (and $20M) can fix their man problem Colin Allred joins Democratic project to draw in young male voters following the GOP young male voter wave of the 2024 election cycle.

NEW: Former U.S. Rep. Colin Allred's new mission: Saving the Democratic Party's "man problem."

How? A project with a $20 M sticker price. @chron.com
www.chron.com/politics/art...

Elon Musk-backed operative crashes Harris County judge race Aliza Dutt, a GOP candidate for Harris County Judge, has appointed Cabell Hobbs to be her campaign's treasurer.

Cabell Hobbs, who's worked for some of the most notable GOP names, joined Harris County judge GOP hopeful Aliza Dutt's ranks.

Hobbs has been tied to a number of PACs and organizations embroiled in FEC complaints. @chron.com
www.chron.com/politics/art...

Texas attorney says he lost job after aiding immigrant family Last week, Clay Jackson, an attorney with Fidelity National Financial, was fired after he assisted an immigrant family.

NEW: Clay Jackson, a Dallas-based lawyer for Fidelity National Financial, helped an immigrant family.

Weeks later, he was out of his job.

“I'm going to not in any way shy away from doing what I believe is my duty as a lawyer,” @clayjak.substack.com told @chron.com

www.chron.com/politics/art...

Leaked messages expose Texas A&M group's racist, transphobic chats Amid Charlie Kirk's visit earlier this week, an ex-member of Texas A&M's Turning Point USA chapter exposed the group's racist, anti-LGBTQ behavior.

NEW: A former member of TPUSA at Texas A&M leaked messages sent in a group chat that show transphobic, racist texts, including memes mocking George Floyd.

The ex-member exposed the group ahead of TPUSA's founder Charlie Kirk's visit to campus. @chron.com
www.chron.com/politics/art...

Incredible work from @fbugenhagen.bsky.social here, who has been working on this for weeks ⬇️

Trump administration officials to visit Texas A&M on milestone day U.S. Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins, along with HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., will visit Texas A&M to discuss food security and agricultural innovation.

also good morning to you. Secretary of Agriculture and C/O 1994 Brooke Rollins, and Secretary of HHS RFK Jr. will be visiting my alma mater, Texas A&M University in College Station. @fbugenhagen.bsky.social will have more on the visit, which coincides with Trump's 100th day in office:

BREAKING NEWS ------------------ Texas Senate Approves historic private school voucher bill The $1 billion bill now heads to Gov. Greg Abbott's desk.

BREAKING: The Texas Senate has officially approved a historic, $1 billion proposal allowing families to use public dollars to send their children to private schools. The bill now goes to Gov. Greg Abbott's desk for signature.

www.chron.com/news/article...

Astros win 3-1 to sweep the Blue Jays. Canada couldn’t pay the Astros’ pitching tariff with enough hits. #Astros

'Gosh dang it, boy': GOP rep's words ignite outrage from Texas leaders On Tuesday, Harris County Precinct 1 Commissioner Rodney Ellis rushed to defend U.S. Rep. Al Green against comments made by a Tennessee Congresswoman.

Texas leaders condemn Tennessee Congresswoman for racist, anti-LGBTQ+ comments: "This is not as simple as a cane and a comment," said @algreen.house.gov @chron.com
www.chron.com/politics/art...

How the transgender bathroom panic began in Houston Before North Carolina's "bathroom bill" made trans issues a national debate, the Houston Equal Rights Ordinance created a stereotype.

This reporting would be impossible w/o @kissphoria.bsky.social , who sees connections + has a wealth of knowledge about Houston and Texas' LGBTQ+ history—if you're not reading her work, what are you doing?
www.chron.com/culture/arti...

Houston right-wing activist’s lawsuit puts preventative health care at risk Houston GOP activist Steven Hotze is tied up in the latest legal battle against Obamacare.

Conservative activist Dr. Steven Hotze is at the center of the latest legal battle over Obamacare that could put cancer screenings and medications that prevent the transmission of HIV on the chopping block. @chron.com
www.chron.com/politics/art...

no worries ! it happens all the time 😇 thank you for reading my work + my colleagues ! we appreciate it, tenfold.

Texas lawmakers in all-out war over school vouchers as vote hits House The Texas House will debate and vote on school choice on Wednesday with tensions between GOP and Democratic lawmakers boiling to a head.

It's a huge day for school choice. The latest on today's Texas House action on vouchers: President Donald Trump intervenes in a last-ditch effort to move Gov. Greg Abbott's priority issue one step closer to the finish line. #txlege @chron.com
www.chron.com/politics/art...

Thank you for supporting my work (and all local, statewide reporting etc!), it means the world to me.

We've updated our story on Texas international students who have quietly had their visas revoked. That includes:

Four students at Texas Woman's, three at Texas Tech, two former students and two current students at UTSA

@fbugenhagen.bsky.social has it ⬇️