James Barragan
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Anchor at @TXCapTonight. Past: @TexasTribune @dallasnews @statesman @latimes. @NiemanFdn '24. UCLA grad. Hablo español.
Articles by James Barragan
Gina Hinojosa says ‘corporate welfare’ approved by GOP leaders is not working for Texans
TEXAS — Democratic gubernatorial candidate Gina Hinojosa says she wants to do away with tax breaks for special interests, put more state money toward public schools and put money from the state’s rainy day fund back into Texans’ pockets. The Austin progressive has rebranded herself as an “economic populist” during her run against incumbent Republican Gov.
South Texas races could determine control of Congress, as Democrats and Republicans battle over Latino voters
TEXAS — Monica De La Cruz made history in 2022 when she became the first Republican elected to her South Texas district since its creation in 1903. Two years later, she kept the seat by 14 percentage points. But now, she faces her toughest task yet: holding on to the district during a midterm year with a Republican in the White House. And her opponent isn’t making it any easier. Bobby Pulido may be better known for his Tejano music hits.
Democratic Lt. Gov. candidate Vikki Goodwin challenges Republican Dan Patrick to debate
TEXAS — The Democratic candidate for lieutenant governor challenged three-term incumbent Republican Dan Patrick to a set of debates before the November election. Austin State Rep. Vikki Goodwin issued her challenge on Spectrum News’ Capital Tonight. “What I would really like is a debate. I’d like to have three debates with Dan Patrick to really get the issues out there for the voters,” she said.
Republican National Committee announces lottery for midterm convention tickets
DALLAS — Four weeks out from their convention, the Republican National Committee is rolling out a lottery for free tickets to the party’s first-ever midterm convention. Beginning on Saturday, those interested in attending can go to the convention’s website and request a ticket for Sept. 9 or 10, or for both days of the convention, at the American Airlines Center in Dallas.
‘This is a binary choice’: Why a Republican who voted to impeach Ken Paxton is now supporting his U.S. Senate bid
TEXAS — Three years ago, state Rep. Jeff Leach, R-Plano, was part of the team of lawmakers that prosecuted the case to impeach Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton. Now, he’s warming up crowds for him and urging Texans to elect Paxton to the U.S. Senate. “I’m voting for Ken Paxton,” he said in front of hundreds at a rally in Allen earlier this week.
After praising him in the past, Republican Tano Tijerina now criticizes his Democratic opponent Henry Cuellar
TEXAS — On the campaign trail, Republican Tano Tijerina has been pounding Democratic opponent Henry Cuellar over not delivering for his South Texas congressional district. “He comes around here with the checks, and he acts like he presents all this money to us. In reality, the cities and counties, 95% of those are grants, and we go out and get those grants,” Tijerina said. “He has not done anything. He’s been a stumbling block for 21 years.
‘It’s gonna be a Trump-a-palooza’: RNC Chairman Joe Gruters discusses plans for national convention in Dallas
DALLAS — The Republican National Committee (RNC) will have a clear message in September when it holds a rare midterm convention in Dallas during a difficult election cycle. “It’s gonna be a Trump-a-Palooza,” RNC Chairman Joe Gruters told Spectrum News of the convention announced by President Donald Trump on Tuesday. “It’s gonna be exciting. It’s gonna be a lot of energy.
'I won’t vote for Ken Paxton': Former GOP official breaks with party in ad to play during Texas Republican convention
TEXAS — As Texas Republicans meet for their state convention in Houston to project unity after heated primaries, the former top Republican elected official in the state’s biggest red county will take over local radio airwaves with one message: “I won’t vote for Ken Paxton.” The one-minute ad featuring former Tarrant County Judge Glen Whitley will be blasted on conservative airwaves in Houston on Friday and Saturday during the GOP’s state convention.
Chip Roy says experience and results, not money, should decide Republican AG runoff
TEXAS — U.S. Rep. Chip Roy, R-Austin, said he’s punching back in the Republican runoff for attorney general. The four-term congressman’s opponent, state Sen. Mayes Middleton, R-Galveston, outspent Roy in the first part of the runoff. Middleton poured millions of dollars of his own money into funding his campaign.
5 runoff races to watch as early voting kicks off
Early voting for the primary runoff elections is here. Beginning Monday, May 18, Texans across the state will finalize their party’s nominees for November’s crucial midterm elections, and there are some major races up and down the ballot. Here are five key races to watch on Election Day, May 26. Senate race More than $120 million have already been spent on this primary, according to media tracking firm AdImpact, making it the most expensive primary battle in history.
Gun rights YouTuber Brandon Herrera says he won’t move to the center in his election campaign
Brandon Herrera is confident Texas' Congressional District 23 will stay red. He’s so confident, in fact, that the prominent gun rights advocate known as “The AK Guy” doesn’t feel the need to move to the center heading into the November elections. “People in the district just want somebody who can get the results. And I know I’m that person,” the Republican nominee for the district told Capital Tonight. “I think we’ve had enough of politicians that change who they are to try to get elected.
‘I know how to win’: Former Texas Democrats executive running to be party leader
Last year, Monique Alcala was fired as executive director of the Texas Democratic Party after Kendall Scudder became the party’s new leader. Now, Alcala is running against him in an election that will be settled at the party’s state convention in June. Alcala, a 15-year veteran of political campaigns at the local, state and national level, said she’s running to make sure Democrats capitalize on a crucial election year. “We have a huge opportunity for us here in 2026,” Alcala told Capital Tonight.
Texas Democratic Party chair responds to calls for him to step aside
Kendall Scudder is undaunted by calls for him to step aside and let someone else take the helm of the Texas Democratic Party — so much so that he’s already filed for reelection and said he’s looking forward to continuing the work he’s done in his first year.
Texas Rep. Keith Self weighs in on Iran, DHS shutdown and FISA Original
WASHINGTON — As lawmakers return to Capitol Hill, U.S. Rep. Keith Self, R-McKinney, says it’s up to the Senate to push negotiations on ending the partial government shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which has now extended more than nine weeks. “The Senate is supposed to be working, and we should be seeing something out of the Senate soon,” the Collin County Republican told Capital Tonight.
Texas A&M professor fired after viral video sues university
What You Need To Know Melissa McCoul filed a lawsuit in federal court in Houston Wednesday morning, accusing Texas A&M University, the Texas A&M University System and its leaders of violating her First Amendment rights when they fired her without due process The lawsuit claims McCoul’s termination was the result of political pressure after a student complained that the class was exploring the topic of gender, which McCoul says was included in the course description This all comes after McCoul...
Republican who passed Texas’ concealed handgun law says ICE is ‘out of control’
TEXAS — Jerry Patterson loves guns. He carries a gun on him almost everywhere he goes, and when he doesn’t, it’s because the places don’t allow it. In 1995, as a state senator, he authored the law that allowed Texans to carry a concealed handgun in response to a deadly shooting at a Luby’s in Killeen that killed 23 people and left 27 others wounded.
Middleton says AG election is two-man race
TEXAS — State Sen. Mayes Middleton, R-Galveston, says he has the “conservative results” to prove to Republican primary voters he should be their next attorney general. Middleton, who is in a four-candidate GOP primary for the seat being vacated by Ken Paxton, said he’s passed conservative bills that increase funding for border security, restrict what restrooms transgender people can use in public and help put the Ten Commandments back into public school classrooms.
Cornyn says he won’t debate until the runoffs
TEXAS — U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, says he won’t debate in the GOP primary until after the race goes into a runoff. “I don’t really see any real benefit to doing that at this point,” Cornyn told Capital Tonight. “We’ll narrow down the field on March 3.” What You Need To Know Cornyn will not debate in the GOP primary until after a runoff Cornyn said U.S. Rep.
Monica De La Cruz pitches special visa for immigrants to work in construction
TEXAS — U.S. Rep. Monica De La Cruz, R-Edinburg, is raising eyebrows with her proposal to create a special visa for immigrants who want to work temporarily in the U.S. construction industry. De La Cruz announced earlier this month that she wants to create a special visa program, similar to the Bracero program, which allowed workers from Mexico to come to the U.S. and work in the agriculture sector.
Can an independent win statewide office in Texas? Mike Collier wants to find out
TEXAS — Mike Collier has run for lieutenant governor as a Democrat twice. However, this year, the accountant and financial professional has a different proposition for Texans. He’s running an uphill battle for lieutenant governor as an independent. “I think there’s a great dissatisfaction in terms of the two-party system. You’ve got two parties that are fighting each other, and is anything getting done?” he said in an interview with Capital Tonight.
Goodwin’s longshot bid for lieutenant governor is focusing on affordability
TEXAS — State Rep. Vikki Goodwin, D-Austin, says there’s a “huge difference” between how she would run the state as lieutenant governor and how the current incumbent, Republican Dan Patrick, does it. One major contrast is that Goodwin, an Austin Democrat, says she’d stop funding the recently passed school voucher law that would give parents up to $10,000 in public funds to send their kids to private schools. “My plan would be no public dollars to private schools,” she said.
U.S. Rep. Chip Roy says he has the right mix to lead AG’s office
TEXAS — U.S. Rep. Chip Roy, R-Austin, believes he can flat-out win a crowded GOP primary for Texas attorney general without going into a runoff. “We believe we can win on March 3,” Roy said in an interview with Capital Tonight. “We have polls showing us close to 50% but we’ve gotta go earn it.” The four-term congressman is leading a four-way primary race to become the state’s next attorney general now that incumbent Ken Paxton is running for U.S. Senate. Roy is running against state Sens.
Jasmine Crockett won’t release her polling but says she would win Senate race
TEXAS — U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Dallas, won’t release the polling that she says led her to run for U.S. Senate. But she says it shows her beating all three Republican candidates. What You Need To Know The Dallas Democrat flipped the Democratic field for U.S. Senate on its head when she essentially forced former U.S. Rep. Colin Allred to drop out of the race on the last day of candidate filing. That left Crockett in what’s expected to be a head-to-head primary battle with Austin state Rep.
Sen. Joan Huffman says experience sets her apart in race for attorney general
TEXAS — State Sen. Joan Huffman, R-Houston, lists her experience like trophies: 14 years as a prosecutor in the Harris County District Attorney’s Office, two terms as a criminal district court judge and nearly 20 years in the Legislature. “I am the most experienced, most qualified person in the race,” she said in an interview with Capital Tonight. Huffman is part of a crowded race for attorney general that includes four Republicans — including U.S. Rep.
Texas Democrat James Talarico announces U.S. Senate campaign Original
TEXAS — State Rep. James Talarico, D-Austin, announced Tuesday morning his candidacy for the U.S. Senate, becoming the second major name to jump into the Democratic primary and ending months of speculation over his political future.
Joe Jaworski says he’s the ‘progressive choice’ in the Democratic primary for AG
TEXAS — Former Galveston mayor Joe Jaworski says he’s the “authentic progressive” in the Democratic primary for attorney general. In an interview on Capital Tonight, Jaworski said he wants the attorney general’s office to be a transparent and honest law firm “for the people of Texas,” arguing that incumbent Republican Ken Paxton has turned it into a law firm for the Republican Party platform and that Republican officials have weaponized politics for their own gain.
Don Huffines says he’s the favorite for Texas comptroller
AUSTIN, Texas — He’s got the endorsements. He’s got the money. And he’s the only candidate with a record of cutting government waste. Former State Senator Don Huffines says those are the reasons he is the frontrunner in the Republican primary for Texas comptroller, even as two other major names — Railroad Commissioner Christi Craddick and fellow former state Sen. Kelly Hancock, who is now serving as acting comptroller — also jockey for the position.
What’s the media’s role in getting answers about the Fourth of July floods?
AUSTIN, Texas — A week after flooding in Central Texas on the Fourth of July killed at least 120 people, the public is searching for answers about how this could have been prevented and what officials are doing to make sure it doesn’t happen again. But some politicians are pushing back against those questions and saying now is not the time to ask who is responsible. Gov.
Los Angeles sets the example for the United States
What determines whether someone is from a place? Are you from a place because you were born there, or because you’ve lived there most of your life? Can you be from a place without being born there? When I was a child in Los Angeles in the 1990s, my neighbors answered all these questions with a resounding yes. It didn’t matter if you were from Mexico, Nicaragua, Cuba, or Colombia; from Armenia, the Philippines, China, Korea, or Japan.
El ejemplo de Los Ángeles en el que se mira Estados Unidos
¿Qué es lo que decide si alguien es de un lugar? ¿Eres de un lugar porque naciste allí o porque allí has vivido la mayor parte de tu vida? ¿Puedes ser de un lugar sin haber nacido allí? En mi niñez, en los años noventa en Los Ángeles, mis vecinos contestaban todas estas preguntas de manera afirmativa. No importaba si eras de México, Nicaragua, Cuba o Colombia; de Armenia, Filipinas, China, Corea o Japón.
Texas House Democratic leader Gene Wu full interview Original
AUSTIN, Texas — Following a legislative session that saw his party on perennial defense, Texas House Democratic Caucus Chair Gene Wu said he was proud of the small victories Democrats were able to gain, like an increase in public school funding. But Wu said he was disappointed that his chamber did not maintain its independence against a very conservative Senate. “The Senate ran roughshod over the House,” Wu said. “Pretty much anything the Senate wanted, they got. Anything the House wanted?
Texas GOP chairman says session was ‘reasonable’ Original
AUSTIN, Texas — After years of intra-party acrimony in the Legislature, the state’s top Republican leaders all seemed to work in unison this time around to pass a slew of conservative priorities like school vouchers, further property tax cuts and bills to increase the role of religion in public life. And while Republican Party of Texas Chairman Abraham George praised some of that work, he was hesitant to give effusive praise. “It’s been a reasonable session,” he said.
Capital Tonight sits down with Sen. Ted Cruz Original
AUSTIN, Texas — U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz visited Austin on Wednesday to help support the passage of a school voucher bill in the Texas Legislature.
Don McLaughlin: From Uvalde mayor to representative in Laredo and Webb Co.
Don McLaughlin wasn’t supposed to be mayor of Uvalde during the town’s darkest hour. When he was first elected in 2014, the small city of 15,000 limited mayors to three two-year terms. As he was set to leave politics in 2019, McLaughlin asked the city council to change the city charter so that mayors could serve four-year terms just as members of the council did. Article continues below this ad They agreed and the city’s residents voted to let McLaughlin run for the inaugural four-year term.
Thrust into the spotlight by a school shooting, Uvalde’s former mayor finds his footing as a lawmaker Original
Key coverage Sign up for The Brief, The Texas Tribune’s daily newsletter that keeps readers up to speed on the most essential Texas news. Don McLaughlin wasn’t supposed to be mayor of Uvalde during the town’s darkest hour. When he was first elected in 2014, the small city of 15,000 limited mayors to three two-year terms. As he was set to leave politics in 2019, McLaughlin asked the city council to change the city charter so that mayors could serve four-year terms just as members of the council did.
Former Uvalde mayor files Texas bill to improve law enforcement response to mass shootings
State Rep. Don McLaughlin, who was mayor of Uvalde when a gunman tore through the town’s peace and killed 19 children and two teachers at an elementary school, has filed a bill aimed at addressing some of the failures that plagued the police response to that shooting.
Former Uvalde mayor files Texas bill to improve law enforcement response to mass shootings
Sign up for The Brief, The Texas Tribune’s daily newsletter that keeps readers up to speed on the most essential Texas news. State Rep. Don McLaughlin, who was mayor of Uvalde when a gunman tore through the town’s peace and killed 19 children and two teachers at an elementary school, has filed a bill aimed at addressing some of the failures that plagued the police response to that shooting.
Former Uvalde mayor files Texas bill to improve law enforcement response to mass shootings
State Rep. Don McLaughlin, who was mayor of Uvalde when a gunman tore through the town’s peace and killed 19 children and two teachers at an elementary school, has filed a bill aimed at addressing some of the failures that plagued the police response to that shooting.
Former Uvalde mayor files Texas bill to improve law enforcement response to mass shootings
by James Barragán, The Texas Tribune Tue, March 4th 2025 at 11:18 AM Updated Tue, March 4th 2025 at 11:28 AM Law enforcement stand watch near a memorial dedicated to the 19 children and two adults murdered on May 24, 2022 during the mass shooting at Robb Elementary School on May 24, 2023 in Uvalde, Texas. (Photo by Brandon Bell/Getty Images)
Under Texas House bill, value of education savings accounts would be tied to public school funding | Houston Public Media
The Texas House's priority proposal that would let families use public funds for their children's private schooling diverges from the Senate plan when it comes to how much money students would receive, which applicants would take priority and how the program accommodates students with disabilities. Those differences set the stage for one of the legislative session's biggest clashes this year.
Under Texas House bill, value of education savings accounts would be tied to public school
Sign up for The Brief, The Texas Tribune’s daily newsletter that keeps readers up to speed on the most essential Texas news. The Texas House’s priority proposal that would let families use public funds for their children’s private schooling diverges from the Senate plan when it comes to how much money students would receive, which applicants would take priority and how the program accommodates students with disabilities.
Under Texas House bill, value of education savings accounts would be tied to public school funding
The Texas House’s priority proposal that would let families use public funds for their children’s private schooling diverges from the Senate plan when it comes to how much money students would receive, which applicants would take priority and how the program accommodates students with disabilities. Those differences set the stage for one of the legislative session’s biggest clashes this year.
Under Texas House bill, value of education savings accounts would be tied to state and local funding
Sign up for The Brief, The Texas Tribune’s daily newsletter that keeps readers up to speed on the most essential Texas news. The Texas House filed priority legislation on Thursday that would allow some families to use taxpayer dollars to fund their children’s private school tuition, a bill that will likely rest at the center of one of the most contentious battles of this year’s legislative session.
Under Texas House bill, value of education savings accounts would be tied to public school funding
By Jaden Edison, James Barragán and Jasper Scherer, The Texas Tribune The Texas House’s priority proposal that would let families use public funds for their children’s private schooling diverges from the Senate plan when it comes to how much money students would receive, which applicants would take priority and how the program accommodates students with disabilities. Those differences set the stage for one of the legislative session’s biggest clashes this year.
Texas House unveils its private school voucher bill Original
The Texas House filed priority legislation on Thursday that would allow some families to use taxpayer dollars to fund their children’s private school tuition, a bill that will likely rest at the center of one of the most contentious battles of this year’s legislative session. Under House Bill 3, participating families would qualify to receive 85% of the amount public schools receive through state and local funding.
National leaders mount pressure campaign on Texas House GOP to pass voucher bill
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POLL: Do you support using taxpayer funds for school choice to attend private schools?
Students Knowing The Right Answer PHOTO: Storyblocks TOPICS: School choiceTaxpayer fundsPrivate schoolsTexas HouseEducation savings accountsHouse Bill 3Public schoolsSpecial education The Texas House filed priority legislation on Thursday that would allow some families to use taxpayer dollars to fund their children’s private school tuition, a bill that will likely rest at the center of one of the most contentious battles of this year’s legislative session.
National leaders mount pressure campaign on Texas House GOP to pass voucher bill Original
Save the date: The Texas Tribune Festival returns Nov. 13–15! Presented by JPMorganChase GET READY Key coverage Sign up for The Brief, The Texas Tribune’s daily newsletter that keeps readers up to speed on the most essential Texas news. School voucher supporters are mounting a full-court press early in the session to drive Gov.
Winners and losers: Who came out on top — and who didn’t — in the Texas House’s committee assignments - T-SPAN Texas
Sign up for The Brief, The Texas Tribune’s daily newsletter that keeps readers up to speed on the most essential Texas news. House Speaker Dustin Burrows announced his highly anticipated committee appointments on Thursday, laying the groundwork for legislation to start moving through the lower chamber. The committee assignments relied heavily on the leadership team of Burrows’ predecessor and close ally, Rep. Dade Phelan, R-Beaumont.
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