Jasper Scherer
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Politics editor @TexasTribune. Formerly @HoustonChron, @ExpressNews, @NorthwesternU. Email: jasper.scherer@texastribune.org
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Articles by Jasper Scherer
Supreme Court decision loosening campaign finance rules could be boon for Paxton in Senate race
The U.S. Supreme Court’s Tuesday decision to strike down caps on coordinated spending by political parties and candidates could boost GOP Senate nominee Ken Paxton, giving national Republicans a new tool to eat into James Talarico’s fundraising edge. The 6-to-3 decision eliminated federal limits on how much political parties could spend on expenses like advertising in coordination with their candidates, with the high court finding that such caps violated the First Amendment.
Unease about Talarico’s Black support on display at Texas Democratic Convention Original
CORPUS CHRISTI — Black Democrats caucusing at the Texas Democratic Party convention Friday cheered when state Rep. James Talarico, the Democratic U.S. Senate nominee, said November would bring an end to three decades of one-party statewide rule.
James Talarico, Gina Hinojosa attack GOP with parallel populist pitches at Texas Democratic Convention
CORPUS CHRISTI — James Talarico and Gina Hinojosa, who will lead Texas Democrats’ ticket in November, closed the first full day of their party’s state convention Friday with speeches that sharply focused on populist economic politics and accused Republicans of fixating on culture wars to distract from what they cast as the ruling party’s corruption and hollowing out of the middle class.
Dolores Huerta tells Texas Democrats to organize and “save democracy” in surprise convention appearance
CORPUS CHRISTI — Dolores Huerta, the iconic Latina labor and civil rights leader, addressed Texas Democrats in a surprise Q&A on stage at the state party’s convention Friday, urging the crowd of rank-and-file activists to go all out in stirring up voter turnout this fall and calling for a massive local organizing push to turn Texas blue.
Abbott trolls Talarico with tacos and cattle at Texas Democratic Convention, ignoring opponent Hinojosa
CORPUS CHRISTI — As thousands gathered Friday for the first full day of the Texas Democratic Convention, a pair of Texas Longhorns down the street gazed listlessly at the Corpus Christi Bay. Gov. Greg Abbott and his campaign commissioned the bulls, 18-year-old Buckero and 17-year-old Dallas.
Cornyn says closed primaries could backfire on Texas GOP, breaking with Abbott, Paxton Original
WASHINGTON — Sen. John Cornyn on Friday came out against top Texas Republicans’ efforts to close the state’s GOP primaries, warning that to do so would be “paving the way to minority party status.” Texas is one of 17 states with open primaries, where eligible voters can register without declaring a party affiliation and then vote in either party’s primary, a system proponents say helps drive voter participation.
Supreme Court clears way for Trump administration to revive restrictive immigration policy
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WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court cleared the way Thursday for the Trump administration to potentially revive an immigration policy once used to turn back migrants seeking asylum at the U.S.-Mexico border. The justices, in a 6-3 decision, overturned a lower court order blocking the practice that limited the number of people who could apply for asylum each day under the Obama administration and during President Donald Trump’s first term.
By Lindsay Whitehurst Verified, Kathy McCormack Verified, Natalia Contreras Verified, Jasper Scherer Verified
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Texas Tribune
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As New World screwworm reaches Texas, Trump officials race to breed more sterile flies Original
WASHINGTON — At a Senate Agriculture Committee hearing earlier this month, U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins was resolute — her agency was well-prepared for the New World screwworm, and had kept it at bay for months before the first case was confirmed in a South Texas calf in early June.
Ken Paxton and James Talarico are neck and neck in U.S. Senate race, new poll finds
Republican Ken Paxton and Democrat James Talarico are neck and neck in the race for U.S. Senate, according to a new poll released Tuesday by the Texas Politics Project at the University of Texas at Austin. Paxton led Talarico 43% to 42%, with a 3.5-point margin of error, the survey found, largely aligning with other recent polls, which have reported a competitive race since the general election nominees were solidified last month.
At GOP convention, Abbott vows to “demolish” Democrats, calls for crackdown on H-1B visas and Sharia law Original
Audio recording is automated for accessibility. Humans wrote and edited the story. See our AI policy , and give us feedback . HOUSTON — Gov. Greg Abbott on Friday vowed to eviscerate Democrats in November’s midterm elections during a speech at the Texas GOP convention that previewed his next legislative priorities and his message for the fall campaign: tying the opposition to “Bernie Sanders socialism.” Speaking to thousands of delegates at the George R.
Texas GOP Chair Abraham George ousted by second-in-command D’rinda Randall Original
Audio recording is automated for accessibility. Humans wrote and edited the story. See our AI policy , and give us feedback . HOUSTON — Republican Party of Texas Vice Chair D’rinda Randall became the party’s new leader Friday after defeating her former running mate, incumbent Chair Abraham George, shaking up the top of the state’s majority party ahead of the fall midterm elections.
James Talarico launches Spanish-language World Cup TV ad Original
Audio recording is automated for accessibility. Humans wrote and edited the story. See our AI policy , and give us feedback . Democratic U.S. Senate nominee James Talarico is launching his first TV ad of the general election Thursday with a spot in Spanish set to air during the FIFA World Cup, continuing his push to win over the Latino voters who are expected to be pivotal in Texas’ November midterms.
Texas Republicans open state convention projecting unity after years of infighting Original
Audio recording is automated for accessibility. Humans wrote and edited the story. See our AI policy , and give us feedback . HOUSTON — Two years ago, the Texas GOP held its state convention in the throes of a ruthless primary fight aimed at ousting the Republican House speaker and more moderate lawmakers. This year, as the party braces for a tough midterm, delegates will gather in Houston under a historically unified spirit.
Proposed ban on Big Bend border wall fails in U.S. House funding panel
Audio recording is automated for accessibility. Humans wrote and edited the story. See our AI policy , and give us feedback . WASHINGTON — A proposal to bar the Trump administration from building a border wall in Big Bend National Park died Wednesday in the U.S. House Appropriations Committee, after the GOP-controlled panel rejected the idea along party lines. The measure, proposed by Rep.
New pro-Talarico super PAC wants to give GOP voters “permission to defect”
Audio recording is automated for accessibility. Humans wrote and edited the story. See our AI policy , and give us feedback . A bipartisan group of federal campaign operatives is launching a new super PAC in support of state Rep. James Talarico, the Democratic U.S. Senate nominee, with plans to hammer Republicans’ standard-bearer, Ken Paxton, on his legal and ethical scandals.
Talarico lands endorsement from lawyer who defended Paxton in impeachment, securities fraud cases
WASHINGTON — One of the lawyers who defended Attorney General Ken Paxton during his three-year-old impeachment trial endorsed Democrat James Talarico Monday in Texas’ U.S. Senate race. Dan Cogdell, a veteran Houston attorney who represented Paxton in his long-running felony securities fraud case and his 2023 impeachment, announced his support for Talarico in an interview with the attorney general’s Democratic opponent on the lawyer’s podcast.
Eight Senate Republicans broke ranks this week. John Cornyn, spurned by Trump in his primary, didn’t. Original
Audio recording is automated for accessibility. Humans wrote and edited the story. See our AI policy , and give us feedback . WASHINGTON — A handful of Senate Republicans this week joined Democrats to oppose a controversial Trump nominee and vote against the president’s “anti-weaponization fund” and East Wing ballroom — the latest display of defection from a band of GOP moderates, retiring members and vulnerable incumbents in the upper chamber. Sen. John Cornyn was not among them.
Democrat Gina Hinojosa launches first ad of Texas governor’s race, to be streamed during NBA Finals
Audio recording is automated for accessibility. Humans wrote and edited the story. See our AI policy , and give us feedback . State Rep. Gina Hinojosa, the Democratic nominee for Texas governor, is launching her first ad buy of the general election with a digital spot to be aired during the NBA Finals between the San Antonio Spurs and the New York Knicks. The initial spend comes in at five figures, according to Hinojosa’s campaign, which declined to provide a more specific sum.
National Democrats aim to flip 12 Texas House seats under newly expanded target list Original
Audio recording is automated for accessibility. Humans wrote and edited the story. See our AI policy , and give us feedback . National Democrats on Wednesday unveiled their most ambitious list of targets in the Texas House in years, adding a dozen districts, on top of three previously announced seats, to their battleground docket for the fall midterms.
Victorious Paxton goes to Washington as former GOP foes open their doors — and wallets
Audio recording is automated for accessibility. Humans wrote and edited the story. See our AI policy , and give us feedback . WASHINGTON — As he closes out his first week as the Republican Senate nominee from Texas, Attorney General Ken Paxton is making the rounds with top party figures in Washington, meeting with Senate Majority Leader John Thune, raising money with Sen. Ted Cruz and even receiving an audience with the president.
Outside spending blitz defined the close of Texas’ District 35 Democratic runoff Original
Audio recording is automated for accessibility. Humans wrote and edited the story. See our AI policy , and give us feedback . WASHINGTON — On Tuesday, Democrats in a new San Antonio-area congressional district headed to the polls to settle a once sleepy runoff that had abruptly catapulted to national prominence in the closing weeks.
Texas Democratic chair calls for party to abandon GOP House Speaker Dustin Burrows Original
Audio recording is automated for accessibility. Humans wrote and edited the story. See our AI policy , and give us feedback . Texas Democratic Party Chair Kendall Scudder is calling on members of his party in the state House to drop their support of Republican Speaker Dustin Burrows, who won the gavel with mostly Democratic support last legislative session over an insurgent candidate favored by the hard-right.
From Cornyn to Paxton: How Trump helped accelerate the Texas GOP’s transformation Original
Audio recording is automated for accessibility. Humans wrote and edited the story. See our AI policy , and give us feedback . A senior senator who voted with President Donald Trump’s agenda 99% of the time. One of Texas’ most conservative lawmakers. A three-term state representative endorsed by Gov. Greg Abbott. All lost their runoff elections Tuesday night to Trump-endorsed opponents, a decisive sweep that serves as a fresh reminder that the Texas GOP remains in complete lockstep with the president.
Senate GOP leaders spent months trashing Paxton. Can they turn the page and unify against Talarico? Original
Audio recording is automated for accessibility. Humans wrote and edited the story. See our AI policy , and give us feedback . Throughout the primary between Sen. John Cornyn and Attorney General Ken Paxton, especially in the final weeks, Paxton found himself on the receiving end of ads and missives bashing him as incompetent, corrupt and adulterous. Those attacks didn’t come from Democratic nominee James Talarico. The calls came from inside the GOP-controlled Senate.
One in five Latino Trump voters in Texas would not repeat vote if given redo, poll finds Original
Audio recording is automated for accessibility. Humans wrote and edited the story. See our AI policy , and give us feedback . One in five Latino Texans who voted for President Donald Trump in 2024 would not support him again if given a redo, according to a new poll released Wednesday.
Alex Mealer wins GOP nomination for new Houston congressional district, defeating state Rep. Briscoe Cain Original
Audio recording is automated for accessibility. Humans wrote and edited the story. See our AI policy , and give us feedback . Army veteran Alex Mealer won the Republican nomination for Texas’ 9th Congressional District Tuesday, defeating state Rep. Briscoe Cain in the primary runoff election for a newly drawn red-leaning seat in east Harris County.
Ken Paxton defeats John Cornyn for U.S. Senate GOP nomination Original
Audio recording is automated for accessibility. Humans wrote and edited the story. See our AI policy , and give us feedback . Attorney General Ken Paxton won the Republican primary runoff for U.S. Senate Tuesday, ending over three decades of Sen. John Cornyn’s electoral dominance in what amounts to a watershed moment for GOP politics in Texas. The Associated Press called the race for Paxton shortly after 8 p.m., about an hour after most polls closed in Texas.
Rallies, ad blitzes and a Trump endorsement: inside the final days of the Cornyn-Paxton runoff
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Audio recording is automated for accessibility. Humans wrote and edited the story. See our AI policy , and give us feedback . WASHINGTON — Thirteen months, $135 million, hundreds of endorsements, numerous AI-generated ads and an uncountable number of ad hominem attacks later, the bruising primary battle between John Cornyn and Ken Paxton will finally come to an end Tuesday.
By Gabby Birenbaum Verified, Kayla Guo Verified, Alejandro Serrano Verified, Jasper Scherer Verified
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Texas Tribune
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In Democratic runoff, Reps. Al Green and Christian Menefee clash over influence of big money in politics Original
Audio recording is automated for accessibility. Humans wrote and edited the story. See our AI policy , and give us feedback . WASHINGTON — With little ideological daylight between the two candidates, the runoff between Democratic Reps. Al Green and Christian Menefee has focused on a more symbolic debate: the influence of big money in politics.
GOP megadonor turned attorney general front-runner: How Mayes Middleton’s largesse fueled his rise Original
Audio recording is automated for accessibility. Humans wrote and edited the story. See our AI policy , and give us feedback . Over the last 15 years, Mayes Middleton has become a prolific GOP donor, spending millions of his oil and gas fortune on conservative candidates and causes. His largesse has helped fund the rise of the hardline House Freedom Caucus and quietly enabled challenges to Attorney General Ken Paxton.
Texas’ GOP Senate runoff pits an old guard-backed institutionalist against a Trump-picked flamethrower Original
Audio recording is automated for accessibility. Humans wrote and edited the story. See our AI policy , and give us feedback . WASHINGTON — When Michael Burgess first ran for Congress in 2002, his name was sandwiched between two now-familiar politicians on the Republican ballot. Above him was John Cornyn, making his first bid for U.S. Senate. Further down was Ken Paxton, a then first-time candidate running for the state House in Collin County.
In GOP attorney general runoff, two hard-right conservatives spar over experience, Trump loyalty Original
Audio recording is automated for accessibility. Humans wrote and edited the story. See our AI policy , and give us feedback . DRIPPING SPRINGS — When Chip Roy entered the already-crowded GOP attorney general race last year, the Austin congressman thought he could exercise the frontrunner’s privilege to stay out of any negative campaigning.
Chip Roy gets $2.75 million infusion from GOP megadonor Alex Fairly in attorney general runoff Original
Audio recording is automated for accessibility. Humans wrote and edited the story. See our AI policy , and give us feedback . GOP megadonor Alex Fairly recently gave $2.75 million to U.S. Rep. Chip Roy’s attorney general campaign, a much-needed shot in the arm as early voting begins in the Austin congressman’s runoff against state Sen. Mayes Middleton. The donation, first shared by Fairly with The Texas Tribune, makes the Amarillo businessman Roy’s biggest financial supporter.
Texas Supreme Court rejects Abbott’s request to remove Democratic Rep. Gene Wu from office over redistricting protest Original
Audio recording is automated for accessibility. Humans wrote and edited the story. See our AI policy , and give us feedback . The Texas Supreme Court rejected Gov. Greg Abbott’s efforts to remove Houston Rep. Gene Wu from office Friday, saying that the Legislature was able to secure House Democrats’ attendance and restore a quorum last summer without involvement from the court.
Here are the donors bankrolling John Cornyn and Ken Paxton’s record-breaking Senate primary Original
Audio recording is automated for accessibility. Humans wrote and edited the story. See our AI policy , and give us feedback . WASHINGTON — In 1996, Ross Perot Jr. bought a controlling stake in the Dallas Mavericks for $125 million. The Republican Senate contest between Sen. John Cornyn and Attorney General Ken Paxton, as it turns out, is almost as expensive. Years later, Perot is part of a constellation of donors who have powered a GOP primary with a record-setting price tag.
Outside cash floods U.S House runoffs in Texas Original
Audio recording is automated for accessibility. Humans wrote and edited the story. See our AI policy , and give us feedback . WASHINGTON — The John Cornyn-Ken Paxton Senate runoff may be sucking up most of the political oxygen in Texas, but outside groups are pouring millions more into the state’s key U.S. House runoffs.
For Texas GOP, immigration politics show signs of fading potency Original
Audio recording is automated for accessibility. Humans wrote and edited the story. See our AI policy , and give us feedback . As illegal border crossings skyrocketed two years ago, Texas Republicans in unison railed against the Biden administration’s immigration policies and vowed, if given power, to seal the U.S.-Mexico border and support Donald Trump’s promised mass deportations. These days, Republicans aren’t always on the same page about the border or immigration.
Barack Obama appears with James Talarico and Gina Hinojosa at Austin restaurant Original
Audio recording is automated for accessibility. Humans wrote and edited the story. See our AI policy , and give us feedback . It was an ordinary taco Tuesday in downtown Austin — until the former president showed up. Patrons at Taco Joint near the University of Texas at Austin were greeted Tuesday by the surprise entrance of Barack Obama along with James Talarico and Gina Hinojosa, the Democratic nominees for U.S. Senate and governor, respectively.
Supreme Court voting rights ruling empowers Texas Republicans to redraw more partisan maps
Lawmakers debate bills on the floor of the Texas House at the state Capitol on May 26, 2025. (Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribune) Last summer, Texas lawmakers redrew the state’s congressional map to add more GOP seats. The unusual mid-decade redistricting effort prompted some Republican lawmakers to dream even bigger. “When the U.S. Supreme Court rules in the Louisiana v.
Joaquin Castro on why a Democratic Senate logjam stopped him from running for AG
As he weighed a bid for the U.S. Senate earlier this year, U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro found himself at an impasse with three other big-name Democrats who also wanted to run for the upper chamber. At the time, Castro met over Zoom with the other then-prospective candidates — former U.S. Reps. Colin Allred and Beto O'Rourke and state Rep. James Talarico — to try to hash out their plans for 2026.
Joaquin Castro on why a Democratic Senate logjam stopped him from running for AG
As he weighed a bid for the U.S. Senate earlier this year, U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro found himself at an impasse with three other big-name Democrats who also wanted to run for the upper chamber. At the time, Castro met over Zoom with the other then-prospective candidates — former U.S. Reps. Colin Allred and Beto O’Rourke and state Rep. James Talarico — to try to hash out their plans for 2026.
Rep. Joaquin Castro eyed AG run to break 2026 Senate logjam
As he weighed a bid for the U.S. Senate earlier this year, U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro found himself at an impasse with three other big-name Democrats who also wanted to run for the upper chamber. At the time, Castro met over Zoom with the other then-prospective candidates — former U.S. Reps. Colin Allred and Beto O’Rourke and state Rep. James Talarico — to try to hash out their plans for 2026.
Rep. Joaquin Castro eyed AG run to break 2026 Senate logjam Original
As he weighed a bid for the U.S. Senate earlier this year, U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro found himself at an impasse with three other big-name Democrats who also wanted to run for the upper chamber. At the time, Castro met over Zoom with the other then-prospective candidates — former U.S. Reps. Colin Allred and Beto O’Rourke and state Rep. James Talarico — to try to hash out their plans for 2026.
Texas lawmakers voted to ban consumable THC products. Will Gov. Greg Abbott sign - or veto - the bill?
Sign up for The Brief, The Texas Tribune’s daily newsletter that keeps readers up to speed on the most essential Texas news. Gov. Greg Abbott is facing intense political pressure over a bill that would ban products containing tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, as hemp industry leaders mount a full-court press urging the governor to veto the measure while Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and his allies urge Abbott to sign it into law.
Texas lawmakers voted to ban consumable THC products. Will Gov. Greg Abbott sign - or veto - the bill?
THE TEXAS TRIBUNE - Gov. Greg Abbott is facing intense political pressure over a bill that would ban products containing tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, as hemp industry leaders mount a full-court press urging the governor to veto the measure while Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and his allies urge Abbott to sign it into law. The issue has sparked backlash from both sides of the aisle, including from conservatives ordinarily supportive of Patrick’s hardline agenda.
Texas lawmakers voted to ban consumable THC products. Will Gov. Greg Abbott sign - or veto - the bill?
THE TEXAS TRIBUNE, Texas (KWTX) - Gov. Greg Abbott is facing intense political pressure over a bill that would ban products containing tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, as hemp industry leaders mount a full-court press urging the governor to veto the measure while Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and his allies urge Abbott to sign it into law. The issue has sparked backlash from both sides of the aisle, including from conservatives ordinarily supportive of Patrick’s hardline agenda.
Texas Legislature approves $338 billion two-year spending plan with a focus on property tax relief Original
Shape the future of Texas at The Texas Tribune Festival, Nov. 13–15! Presented by JPMorganChase Get tickets 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.
Texas THC ban heads to governor's desk
(The Texas Tribune) – A bill that would ban all products containing tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, is headed to Gov. Greg Abbott’s desk after the Senate late Sunday approved the House version of the bill advanced by the lower chamber last week. If the measure avoids Abbott’s veto pen, Texas’ $8 billion hemp industry and its estimated 50,000 jobs would be dissolved in September, when the ban would take effect.
Texas, a punto de prohibir productos con THC
Un proyecto de ley que prohibiría todos los productos que contengan tetrahidrocannabinol, o THC, se dirige al escritorio del gobernador Greg Abbott después de que el Senado aprobó el domingo por la noche la versión del proyecto de ley promovido por la Cámara de Representantes la semana pasada.
Ban on THC products heads to Abbott's desk
AUSTIN — A bill that would ban all products containing tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, is headed to Gov. Greg Abbott’s desk after the Senate late Sunday approved the House version of the bill advanced by the lower chamber last week. If the measure avoids Abbott’s veto pen, Texas’ $8 billion hemp industry and its estimated 50,000 jobs would be dissolved in September, when the ban would take effect.
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