https://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/robert-downen/The latest news by Robert Downen.enThu, 30 May 2024 17:34:07 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/05/30/texas-public-schools-religion-curriculum/The proposed curriculum overhaul was released a week after the Texas GOP proposed requiring the Bible to be taught in public schools. School districts that opt to use them will get more funding.By Pooja Salhotra and Robert DownenThu, 30 May 2024 17:34:07 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/05/30/texas-public-schools-religion-curriculum/https://www.texastribune.org/2024/05/25/craig-goldman-john-oshea-texas-runoff-kay-granger/The high-stakes race pitted an established Republican lawmaker against a right-wing candidate who had Attorney General Ken Paxton’s backing.By Matthew Choi and Robert DownenTue, 28 May 2024 20:36:38 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/05/25/craig-goldman-john-oshea-texas-runoff-kay-granger/State Rep. Craig Goldman speaks at a panel during The Texas Tribune Festival on Sept. 23, 2022 in AustinState Rep. Craig Goldman speaks on the “Wowtown” panel moderated by Abby Livingston at The Texas Tribune Festival on Sept. 23, 2022 in Austin. Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/05/25/texas-runoff-results-cd-28-henry-cuellar-jay-indictment/Furman won the Republican nomination in a runoff against Lazaro Garza. Cuellar’s criminal charges have suddenly made it a high-profile race.By Matthew Choi and Robert DownenTue, 28 May 2024 20:16:54 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/05/25/texas-runoff-results-cd-28-henry-cuellar-jay-indictment/U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar celebrates his victory with his daughter Catherine and wife Imelda Cuellar at an election night party in Laredo on Nov. 8, 2022. He will face Navy veteran Jay Furman in the 2024 election.Henry Cuellar celebrates his victory with his daughter Catherine and wife Imelda Cuellar at an election night party in Laredo on Nov. 8, 2022.Jessica Rodriguez for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/05/28/texas-gop-convention-elections-religion-delegates-platform/At the three-day convention, delegates moved the needle further to the right, preaching Christian nationalism and approving rules that would give them unprecedented control of elections.By Robert DownenTue, 28 May 2024 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/05/28/texas-gop-convention-elections-religion-delegates-platform/Attendees at the Texas GOP Convention in San Antonio on May 24, 2024.Scenes from the Texas GOP Convention in San Antonio, Texas on May 24, 2024.Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/05/25/texas-republican-party-convention-platform/The platform was voted on Saturday, with tallies expected next week. Other planks call abortion homicide and gender-transition care “child abuse.”By Robert Downen and Renzo DowneySat, 25 May 2024 18:42:15 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/05/25/texas-republican-party-convention-platform/Conventioneers listen to speeches during the Texas GOP Convention Friday, May 24, 2024 in San Antonio.Conventioneers listen to speeches during the Texas GOP Convention Friday, May 24, 2024 in San Antonio.Eli Hartman/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/05/24/texas-republican-party-chair-abraham-george/George was backed by outgoing GOP chair Matt Rinaldi, who ushered in a Republican civil war and oversaw staffing cuts and drops in fundraising.By Renzo Downey and Robert DownenFri, 24 May 2024 18:11:53 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/05/24/texas-republican-party-chair-abraham-george/Texas GOP Party Chair candidate Abraham George delivers his candidate speech during the first general session of the convention in San Antonio, on May 23, 2024.Texas GOP Party Chair candidate Abraham George delivers his candidate speech during the first general session of the convention in San Antonio, on May 23, 2024.Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/05/23/texas-gop-matt-rinaldi-republicans/Under outgoing chair Matt Rinaldi, the party’s donor base has shrunk as it aligns with two far-right megadonors.By Robert Downen and Carla AstudilloThu, 23 May 2024 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/05/23/texas-gop-matt-rinaldi-republicans/Outgoing Republican Party of Texas Chairman Matt Rinaldi gives voting directives during the 5th General Meeting of the 2022 Texas State Republican Convention on June 18, 2022.Republican Party of Texas Chairman Matt Rinaldi gives voting directives during the 5th General Meeting of the 2022 Texas State Republican Convention on June 18, 2022.Briana Vargas for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/05/17/texas-gop-matt-mackowiak-chair/The political consultant joins a crowded field to replace outgoing Chair Matt Rinaldi when party delegates meet next week.By Robert DownenFri, 17 May 2024 08:05:06 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/05/17/texas-gop-matt-mackowiak-chair/Matt Mackowiak in Austin in 2018.Matt Mackowiak in Austin on Sept. 20, 2018.John Jordan/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/05/08/dade-phelan-texas-house-interim-charges/The Beaumont Republican issued his interim charges even as it remains unclear whether he’ll be reelected.By Joshua Fechter and Robert DownenWed, 08 May 2024 14:54:52 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/05/08/dade-phelan-texas-house-interim-charges/House Speaker Dade Phelan speaks with other representatives during a special legislative session at the state capitol in Austin, Texas, on Nov. 17, 2023.House Speaker Dade Phelan speaks with other represenatives during a special legislative session at the state capitol in Austin, Texas, on Nov. 17, 2023.Julius Shieh/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/04/25/ut-austin-palestine-protest-fallout/President Jay Hartzell defended the response but faculty criticized the presence of armed state troopers. Fifty-seven people were arrested.By Robert Downen, Ikram Mohamed and William MelhadoThu, 25 Apr 2024 11:02:57 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/04/25/ut-austin-palestine-protest-fallout/Protesters link arms at the University of Texas at Austin during a pro-Palestine demonstration on April 24, 2024.Protesters link arms on the campus of UT-Austin on April 24, 2024.Julius Shieh for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/04/12/jonathan-stickland-matt-rinaldi-white-supremacy-scandal/The former lawmaker registered “RaTmasTeR Holdings” along with Texas GOP Chair Matt Rinaldi. The name is a nod to Stickland’s alias as an infamous internet troll.By Robert DownenFri, 12 Apr 2024 16:25:35 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/04/12/jonathan-stickland-matt-rinaldi-white-supremacy-scandal/Former state Rep. Jonathan Stickland, R-Bedford, on the Texas House floor on May 21, 2019.State Rep. Jonathan Stickland, R-Bedford, on the House floor on May 21, 2019.Juan Figueroa/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/04/05/texas-supreme-court-justice-john-devine-2024-election/Justice John Devine’s comments at a conservative event are the latest to prompt concerns about his impartiality as a jurist.By Robert DownenFri, 05 Apr 2024 14:47:57 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/04/05/texas-supreme-court-justice-john-devine-2024-election/Texas Supreme Court Justice John Devine, far left, with fellow jurists on the state House floor in Austin in 2013.Texas Supreme Court Justice John Devine, far left, with fellow judges on the House floor in Austin in 2013.Bob Daemmrichhttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/04/04/tim-dunn-joe-straus-christian-texas/Straus, who is Jewish, publicly confirmed the conversation for the first time Thursday. It had previously been reported by Texas Monthly.By Jasper Scherer and Robert DownenThu, 04 Apr 2024 15:43:04 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/04/04/tim-dunn-joe-straus-christian-texas/Joe Straus speaks at The Texas Tribune Festival on Sept. 25, 2022.Sandi Villarreal, deputy editor for digital at Texas Monthly, moderates a panel with US Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-Laredo, and former speaker of the Texas House Joe Straus at The Texas Tribune Festival on Sept. 24, 2022 in Austin, TX.Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/03/28/texas-ethics-political-disclosure-social-media-influenceable/The Tribune reported last year that a company called Influenceable LLC was paid to recruit influencers to defend Attorney General Ken Paxton over his impeachment.By Robert DownenThu, 28 Mar 2024 15:22:48 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/03/28/texas-ethics-political-disclosure-social-media-influenceable/The Texas Ethics Commission took the first step in adopting rules that would require social media influencers to include political advertising disclosures.The Texas Ethics Commission took the first step in adopting rules that would require social media influencers to include political advertising disclosures when they are paid to post political advertising online.Photo Illustration by Kylie Cooper/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/03/27/texas-republican-party-matt-rinaldi-chair/Some Republicans and candidates are calling for a serious change, warning that the party could be vulnerable in future elections because of the ongoing disunity that has defined Rinaldi’s two terms.By Robert DownenWed, 27 Mar 2024 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/03/27/texas-republican-party-matt-rinaldi-chair/https://www.texastribune.org/2024/03/18/abraham-george-texas-gop-gun-police/Abraham George is running to lead the state party with backing from current Chair Matt Rinaldi, who announced last week he will not seek reelection. He was not arrested or charged.By Robert DownenMon, 18 Mar 2024 15:17:31 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/03/18/abraham-george-texas-gop-gun-police/Abraham George, chair of the Collin County Republican party, speaks at the Labor day picnic in Plano, Texas on Sept. 2, 2023. He is a candidate for the chair of the Texas GOP.Abraham George, chairman of the Collin County Republican party, speaks at the Labor day picnic in Plano, Texas on Sept. 2, 2023.Azul Sordo for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/03/15/matt-rinaldi-texas-republican-chair-reelection/Rinaldi’s three-year tenure as chair of the GOP saw vicious infighting and historic gains for the state’s far right.By Robert DownenFri, 15 Mar 2024 16:19:32 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/03/15/matt-rinaldi-texas-republican-chair-reelection/Texas GOP Chair Matt Rinaldi at a news conference on Aug. 30, 2021.Texas GOP Chair Matt Rinaldi at a press conference on Aug. 30, 2021, amid talk about punishing House Democrats for breaking quorum.Michael Gonzalez/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/03/08/texas-ethics-commission-supreme-court-michael-quinn-sullivan/In 2014, and following a two-year investigation, the Texas Ethics Commission fined Sullivan $10,000 for failing to register as a lobbyist.By Robert DownenFri, 08 Mar 2024 16:41:25 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2024/03/08/texas-ethics-commission-supreme-court-michael-quinn-sullivan/Michael Quinn Sullivan of Empower Texans speaks at a conservative grassroots rally for property tax relief and reform at the Texas Capitol on Tuesday, April 16, 2019.Michael Quinn Sullivan of Empower Texans speaks at a conservative grassroots rally for property tax relief and reform at the Texas Capitol on Tuesday, April 16, 2019.Juan Figueroa/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/03/08/tim-dunn-farris-wilks-defend-texas-liberty-election/All told, 11 of the 28 House candidates supported by Tim Dunn and Farris Wilks won their primaries outright, and another eight are headed to runoffs this May.By Robert DownenFri, 08 Mar 2024 12:17:26 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2024/03/08/tim-dunn-farris-wilks-defend-texas-liberty-election/Tim Dunn speaks during The Texas Tribune Festival on Sept. 24, 2016.Tim Dunn, CEO of CrownQuest Operating and chairman of Empower Texans, speaks during The Texas Tribune Festival on Sept. 24, 2016.Brett Buchanan for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/03/05/john-devine-brian-walker-texas-supreme-court-primary/Devine will face 281st District Judge Christine Vinh Weems in November’s general election.By Robert DownenWed, 06 Mar 2024 15:53:56 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2024/03/05/john-devine-brian-walker-texas-supreme-court-primary/