John Moritz
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Articles by John Moritz
On Connecticut bear hunt, Gov. Lamont and GOP challenger Fazio find common ground Original
This article first appeared on CT Mirror and is republished here under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. When it comes to Connecticut’s increasingly troublesome relationship with black bears, both candidates in this year’s governor’s race are in agreement on a somewhat controversial solution. Gov. Ned Lamont, the Democratic incumbent, and his opponent, Republican Sen. Ryan Fazio, have both supported measures in recent years to allow the hunting of black bears.
On Connecticut bear hunt, Gov. Lamont and GOP challenger Fazio find common ground
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Who are the biggest donors backing Paxton and Talarico?
Talarico Reid Hoffman: $11,500,000 Reid Hoffman, who co-founded professional networking site LinkedIn in 2003 and 13 years later sold it to Microsoft for $26.2 billion, is considered one of the most generous contributors from California's Silicon Valley. In 2024, Hoffman donated $10 million to Future Forward super PAC, which backed the presidential candidacy of Democrat Kamala Harris. Hoffman is also a cofounder of Manas AI and Inflection AI and was part of PayPal's founding team.
Can Democrat James Talarico unlock Republicans' grip on the veterans' vote? Original
Senate candidate James Talarico campaigns during a Town Hall at Disciple Central Community Church in DeSoto, Texas, Monday, July 20, 2026. Anja Schlein/The Dallas Morning News For war veterans like Le Roy Torres, expressions of gratitude from political leaders are appreciated. But gratefulness alone is not enough.
Why James Talarico is asking a court to unseal a deposition from Ken Paxton Original
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, a Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate and Texas State Rep. and Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico. Elías Valverde II Tony Gutierre/The Dallas Morning News, AP The campaign of Democratic U.S. Senate nominee James Talarico asked a state court in Colin County on Wednesday to unseal a years-old two-part deposition given by Attorney General Ken Paxton as part of litigation over a business dispute involving Paxton's associates.
Who are the biggest donors backing Talarico and Paxton in the Texas Senate race? See the top 20.
Talarico Reid Hoffman: $11,500,000 Reid Hoffman, who co-founded professional networking site LinkedIn in 2003 and 13 years later sold it to Microsoft for $26.2 billion, is considered one of the most generous contributors from California's Silicon Valley. In 2024, Hoffman donated $10 million to Future Forward super PAC, which backed the presidential candidacy of Democrat Kamala Harris. Hoffman is also a cofounder of Manas AI and Inflection AI and was part of PayPal's founding team.
John Cornyn's McCain moment could spare Senate Republicans a brutal vote
U.S. Sen. John Cornyn's role in stalling the confirmation of President Donald Trump's pick for attorney general has provided the Texas Republican with a "John McCain moment," only in slow motion. Recall that six months into Trump's first term, he and the Republican majorities in the House and the Senate were within tasting distance of achieving their elusive goal of repealing the Affordable Care Act, the signature legislative achievement of former President Barack Obama. Sen.
Ken Paxton's ‘ring rust' raises a bigger question about the Senate race
If Ken Paxton were a prizefighter instead of a politician, what happened to him Tuesday in Fort Worth might have been chalked up to "ring rust," the affliction caused by extended inactivity that dulls a boxer's reflexes and increases the likelihood of being knocked for a loop.
Chip Roy gets late $2.75M cash infusion from Amarillo businessman in his bid for attorney general
Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, who is running for Texas Attorney General, speaks to supporters during an election rally at Country Corner Ice House in Cypress, Sunday, May 17, 2026. (Brett Coomer/Houston Chronicle) Amarillo businessman and GOP megadonor Alex Fairly injected a last-minute $2.75 million into Chip Roy's campaign for attorney general, giving the Republican congressman a huge financial boost against Mayes Middleton in the final stretch before the May 26 runoff election.
Texas Democrats hope Obama’s visit can help break decades of political losses
Texas Democratic gubernatorial candidate Gina Hinojosa, Texas Democratic Senate candidate and Texas state Rep. James Talarico, and former President Barack Obama visit the Taco Joint on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Joel Angel Juarez, Pool) (Joel Angel Juarez/AP) Former President Barack Obama made a surprise appearance in Austin, Texas, with Texas Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico and gubernatorial candidate Gina Hinojosa, boosting Democratic mobilization efforts.
Trump trashes Talarico but doesn't endorse Cornyn or Paxton in runoff
President Donald Trump gestures as he boards Air Force One, Friday, May 15, 2026, at Beijing Capital International Airport in Beijing.
Greg Abbott pushes Texas Supreme Court to oust Rep. Gene Wu for leading last year's quorum break
Rep. Gene Wu, D-Houston, protests redistricting plans before the hearing of the House Select Committee on Congressional Redistricting at the Capitol in Austin, Friday, Aug. 1, 2025. (Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman) Gov. Greg Abbott is prodding the Texas Supreme Court to act on his months-old lawsuit to force state Rep.
Greg Abbott pushes Texas Supreme Court to oust Rep. Gene Wu for leading last year's quorum break
Rep. Gene Wu, D-Houston, protests redistricting plans before the hearing of the House Select Committee on Congressional Redistricting at the Capitol in Austin, Friday, Aug. 1, 2025. Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman Gov. Greg Abbott is prodding the Texas Supreme Court to act on his months-old lawsuit to force state Rep. Gene Wu from office because of the Houston Democrat's role leading last year's quorum break that delayed the Republican-led plan to redraw Texas' congressional district boundaries.
Former President Obama makes surprise stop in Austin with James Talarico, Gina Hinajosa
Texas Democratic gubernatorial candidate Gina Hinojosa, Texas Democratic Senate candidate and Texas state Rep. James Talarico, and former President Barack Obama visit the Taco Joint on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, in Austin, Texas.
Cornyn-Paxton Senate runoff grows increasingly bitter as GOP unity fears mount
; ; ; Continue reading More for You ; ; ; ; Continue reading More for You
Cornyn-Paxton Senate runoff grows increasingly bitter as GOP unity fears mount
John Cornyn, left, and Ken Paxton, right, at separate campaign events in 2026. (File/hearst Texas Media) Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick warned last month that the bruising Republican U.S. Senate runoff between incumbent John Cornyn and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton could fracture the Texas GOP. A month later, the increasingly personal attacks between the two Republicans appear to be proving him right.
Why U.S. Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito is in Austin
Associate Justice Samuel Alito sits during a group photo of the justices at the Supreme Court in Washington, D.C., in 2021. (Erin Schaff/Pool/Getty Images/TNS) (Erin Schaff/TNS) U.S. Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito will be in the Texas Capitol Thursday for the ceremonial swearing in of the two newest members of the state Supreme Court. The members, James Sullivan and Kyle Hawkins, have been serving on the state's highest civil court for several months.
Why U.S. Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito is in Austin
Associate Justice Samuel Alito sits during a group photo of the justices at the Supreme Court in Washington, D.C., in 2021. (Erin Schaff/Pool/Getty Images/TNS) Erin Schaff/TNS U.S. Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito will be in the Texas Capitol Thursday for the ceremonial swearing in of the two newest members of the state Supreme Court. The members, James Sullivan and Kyle Hawkins, have been serving on the state's highest civil court for several months.
Camp Mystic owners defend safeguards put in place after deadly floods
Family members look at a photo of young girls at a joint House and Senate flood investigating committee hearing at the Capitol on Tuesday April 28, 2026. (Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman) Family members who own and operate Camp Mystic expressed deep sorrow on Tuesday as they testified about their actions during last summer's deadly floods, which left 25 campers and two counselors dead.
Redistricting arms race that began with Texas goes national. Will voters benefit?
A representative looks at a congressional redistricting map during debate of a congressional redistricting plan in the House Chamber at the Capitol in Austin, Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2025. (Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman) The Cold War doctrine of “mutually assured destruction” — or MAD — held that nuclear war would never happen because both sides knew it would mean total annihilation. The more weapons each side stockpiled, the less likely they were to be used.
James Talarico's fundraising win in Texas obscures Republicans' deeper advantage
John C. Moritz Democratic U.S. Senate nominee James Talarico's eye-popping $27 million fundraising haul may dominate early headlines, but it masks a deeper reality: Republicans still hold powerful financial advantages that could reshape the race once the general election begins. The report Talarico filed with the Federal Election Commission, made public Wednesday, shows he raised $27 million during the first three months of the year. Incumbent Sen.
James Talarico's fundraising win in Texas obscures Republicans' deeper advantage
James Talarico, a Texas Democratic primary candidate for U.S. Senate, speaks during an event March 1 in San Antonio. (Brenda Bazán/Associated Press) Democratic U.S. Senate nominee James Talarico’s eye-popping $27 million fundraising haul may dominate early headlines, but it masks a deeper reality: Republicans still hold powerful financial advantages that could reshape the race once the general election begins.
Senate candidate James Talarico outlines plan to tax billionaires
John C. Moritz Democratic U.S. Senate nominee James Talarico said Monday he wants to end tax breaks for billionaires, including abolishing write-offs for the purchase of luxury items and restricting the use of offshore bank accounts to avoid federal taxes. "A lot of these billionaires have used our infrastructure, they have benefited from our public schools," Talarico told reporters near a private jet hangar at Hobby Airport in Houston.
Senate candidate James Talarico outlines plan to tax billionaires
Texas Democratic U.S. Senate hopeful James Talarico addresses supporters at his election night watch party in South Austin Wednesday, March 4, 2026. (Mikala Compton/Austin American-Statesman) Democratic U.S. Senate nominee James Talarico said Monday he wants to end tax breaks for billionaires, including abolishing write-offs for the purchase of luxury items and restricting the use of offshore bank accounts to avoid federal taxes.
'The price that we pay for democracy:' Texas House member facing fine also faced threats
State Rep. Salman Bhojani, D-Euless, speaks at a press conference about the Religious Freedom Agenda at the Capitol on Tuesday February 7, 2023. (Jay Janner / American-Statesman, Austin American-Statesman) State Rep. Salman Bhojani faced online harassment and threats that forced his family to leave their home after breaking quorum with fellow Democrats last year.
Texas House Republicans head toward showdown with quorum-busting Democrats over unpaid fines
John C. Moritz A group of Texas House members will meet on Friday as Republicans try to figure out how far they will go to collect fines levied on the dozens of Democrats who broke quorum last summer to fight redistricting. The GOP-led House administration committee will convene behind closed doors to consider the financial penalties, according to a meeting notice. State Rep. Charlie Geren, R-Fort Worth, who chairs the panel, did not return a call for comment on Wednesday.
Texas House Republicans head toward showdown with quorum-busting Democrats over unpaid fines
Texas Rep. Gene Wu, left, and other Democratic lawmakers board a plane at Signature Aviation at the South Terminal on Sunday, August. 3, 2025 in Austin, Texas. Texas Democrats fled the state in an effort to delay Republicans' plans to redraw the state's congressional map. (Aaron E.
Texas House Republicans head toward showdown with quorum-busting Democrats over unpaid fines
Texas Rep. Gene Wu, left, and other Democratic lawmakers board a plane at Signature Aviation at the South Terminal on Sunday, August. 3, 2025 in Austin, Texas. Texas Democrats fled the state in an effort to delay Republicans' plans to redraw the state's congressional map. Aaron E.
Texas House Republicans head toward showdown with quorum-busting Democrats over unpaid fines
In Texas, a state hearing on social studies becomes a clash of religions An advocate for Muslims spoke out against what she said were unfair portrayals of her faith in a new school curriculum and was accused of supporting terrorism. AUSTIN — Shaimaa Zayan, in beige headscarf and floor-length skirt, walked swiftly toward the microphone at the front of the packed meeting …
Texas eyes New Mexico border counties, but annexation faces long odds
A Texas flag, photographed by Yi-Chin Lee. (Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer) A study ordered by Texas House Speaker Dustin Burrows to explore the annexation of New Mexico counties that voted overwhelmingly for Trump has sparked political tensions between the two states. The proposal to potentially switch sides would require a vote of the people in the affected counties and an act of Congress, with New Mexico Democratic leaders expressing strong opposition to the idea.
Texas primary turnout shows stark age divide between parties
Scott Bredensteiner, a voter in central Texas, leaves an active polling station in Pflugerville, Texas after casting his vote on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, to take part in the democratic process. (Faith Bugenhagen) In the recent Texas primaries, voters 50 and older made up a significant majority of both Democratic and Republican turnout, with older voters dominating the Republican side.
Is there any meat to 'vegan' attack on James Talarico? Record suggests charge is half-baked.
Texas Democratic U.S. Senate hopeful James Talarico addresses supporters at his election night watch party in South Austin Wednesday, March 4, 2026. (Mikala Compton/Austin American-Statesman) Texas Democratic U.S. Senate candidate James Talarico faces GOP accusations of being a closet vegan, but responds with a photo of himself eating a $25 hickory-smoked turkey leg at the State Fair.
Republican attacks are already coming. How will James Talarico handle the onslaught?
Texas Democratic U.S. Senate hopeful James Talarico addresses supporters at his election night watch party in South Austin Tuesday, March 3, 2026. Mikala Compton/Austin American-Statesman Texas Democratic U.S. Senate hopeful James Talarico greets supporters at his election night watch party in South Austin Wednesday, March 4, 2026. Mikala Compton/Austin American-Statesman Texas Democratic Senate candidate Texas state Rep.
Republican attacks are already coming. How will James Talarico handle the onslaught? Original
Texas Democratic U.S. Senate hopeful James Talarico addresses supporters at his election night watch party in South Austin Tuesday, March 3, 2026. Mikala Compton/Austin American-Statesman Texas Democratic U.S. Senate hopeful James Talarico greets supporters at his election night watch party in South Austin Wednesday, March 4, 2026. Mikala Compton/Austin American-Statesman Texas Democratic Senate candidate Texas state Rep.
Texas primary results undercut GOP hopes in newly redrawn districts
U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar (center) mingles with Texas Rep. Richard Raymond and another person at the 74th Annual Mr. South Texas Luncheon, on Feb. 21, 2026, at Laredo Country Club. (David Gomez Jr./Laredo Morning Times) Democratic voter turnout in South Texas matched or exceeded Republican turnout in the recent primary elections, despite redrawn districts favoring the GOP. U.S. Reps.
Nate Sheets declares victory over three-term Ag Commissioner Sid Miller
Texas Agricultural Commissioner incumbent Sid Miller, left, and candidate Nate Sheets, Right. (File) Beekeeper and businessman Nate Sheets was on track to unseat three-term Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller in a stunning upset in the Republican primary. Sheets, a Navy veteran with the backing of Gov. Greg Abbott, accused Miller of using state resources for political gain, while Miller leaned into his association with President Donald Trump during the campaign.
It's Texas primary election day. Here are the key Houston and statewide races to watch.
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Benjamin Wermund, James Osborne, Taylor Goldenstein, Claire Goodman, Ryan Nickerson, Sam González Kelly, Isaac Yu, John C. Moritz, John Lomax V A rare mix of competitive races up and down the ballot has voters turning up to the polls in droves ahead of Tuesday's primary election, which will set match-ups in the high-stakes midterms in November. Voters will decide if U.S. Sen.
By Taylor Goldenstein Verified, Isaac Yu Verified, Sam Kelly, Ryan Nickerson Verified, Benjamin Wermund Verified, James Osborne, Claire Goodman, John Moritz
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MSN
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It's Texas primary election day. Here are the key Houston and statewide races to watch.
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Gabriella Boschma of Houston votes on Election Day at West Gray Multi-Service Center on Tuesday, March 5, 2024 in Houston, TX. (Sharon Steinmann) A rare mix of competitive races up and down the ballot has voters turning up to the polls in droves ahead of Tuesday's primary election, which will set match-ups in the high-stakes midterms in November. Voters will decide if U.S. Sen.
By Benjamin Wermund Verified, James Osborne, Taylor Goldenstein Verified, Claire Goodman, Ryan Nickerson Verified, Sam Kelly, Isaac Yu Verified, John Moritz, John Lomax V Verified
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Yahoo
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James Talarico faces Jasmine Crockett in red-hot Democratic primary for Texas’ U.S. Senate seat
Texas state Rep. James Talarico, D-Austin, left, shakes hands with Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Texas, prior a debate during the Texas AFL-CIO Committee on Political Education Convention, Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026, in Georgetown, Texas. (Bob Daemmrich/Texas Tribune via AP, Pool) (Bob Daemmrich/AP) Texas Democrats are deciding between U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett and state Rep. James Talarico in a high-stakes race for a U.S. Senate seat, with hopes of breaking a 32-year losing streak in statewide elections.
Here are the major statewide and Austin-area races on the ballot Tuesday
A voter heads into the Ben Hur Shrine polling place in Austin as early voting begins for the March primary elections in Texas, Feb. 17, 2026. Voters can cast their ballots to decide who represents Republicans and Democrats in the November midterm elections. (Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman) Voters in Texas are turning out in high numbers for the primary elections, which will set the stage for the November midterms and could determine control of Congress.
Could a TV comedian in New York ultimately decide the Texas U.S. Senate primary?
Audience members line up outside of "The Late Show With Stephen Colbert" on Oct. 2, 2023, in New York City. CBS said it is canceling "The Late Show With Stephen Colbert" at the end of the television season in May. (John Nacion/TNS) Democratic U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Dallas, had comedian and television host Stephen Colbert and his "The Late Show" audience in the palm of her hand.
How Democratic Senate candidates Jasmine Crockett and James Talarico stack up on issues and style
State Rep. James Talarico, left, and U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett, Democratic primary candidates for U.S. Senate, shake hands prior to a debate at the Texas AFL-CIO COPE Convention in Georgetown, Texas on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026. (Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune via POOL) Political races are often a study of contrasts between the candidates, but the 2026 Democratic primary for U.S. Senate is as much a study in similarities. The two leading candidates, U.S. Rep.
Greg Abbott stakes his clout on GOP primaries as poll shows his picks trailing
Texas Governor Greg Abbott is breaking tradition by endorsing specific candidates in key Republican primaries, a move that could potentially backfire. Abbott has thrown his support behind Acting Comptroller Kelly Hancock and political newcomer Nate Sheets, inviting Sheets to accompany him on a trip to the southern border to discuss efforts to control the New World screwworm.
Inside the influencer proxy war roiling the Texas Senate race
Texas state Rep. James Talarico, D-Austin, left, shakes hands with Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Texas, prior a debate during the Texas AFL-CIO Committee on Political Education Convention, Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026, in Georgetown, Texas. (Bob Daemmrich/Texas Tribune via AP, Pool) (Bob Daemmrich/AP) The claim last week that Democratic U.S. Senate candidate James Talarico made a racially derogatory remark about his former challenger wasn't just powerful for what it meant, but for where it started.
Here's who is leading the U.S. Senate race in Texas, according to a new poll Original
U.S. Senate candidates, clockwise from top left, Texas Rep. James Talarico (D), U.S. Rep Wesley Hunt (R), Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R), U.S. Rep Jasmine Crockett (D), and U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R). Wire File Photos Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton and Democratic U.S. Rep.
Texas Democrats’ brief high gives way to intraparty tension
Taylor Rehmet greets a supporter at his Senate District 9 runoff watch party on Jan. 31 at Nickel City in Fort Worth. (Eleanor Dearman/Fort Worth Star-Telegram/TNS) Texas Democrats woke up on Feb. 2 believing they had just witnessed a political breakthrough.
Governor to propose $200-per-person Connecticut tax rebate
Gov. Ned Lamont will propose a $200-per-person election-year tax rebate Wednesday when he recommends his budget adjustments to legislators and delivers a State of the State address framing his goals for the 2026 session and messaging for his reelection campaign, sources close to the administration said Monday.
Cornyn continues to lead GOP Senate field in fundraising, while Talarico, Crockett stay close
Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, on Tuesday backed a $95.3 billion Senate aid package to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, drawing criticism from fellow Republican Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton. (J. Scott Applewhite/Associated Press) U.S. Sen John Cornyn continues to out-fundraise the rest of the Republican field, while Democratic state Rep. James Talarico reported a slight edge over U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett with a month until the primary election for U.S. Senate.
Minneapolis shows the dangers of trying to use spin to duck accountability
A woman holds a sign memorializing Renee Good as activists protest outside an ICE facility in Pflugerville, requesting the organization to leave the county, Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026, in solidarity with nation-wide protests after the killing of Good, a Minneapolis woman and U.S. citizen, by ICE agents on January 7.
Why some Republicans are ready to turn the page on Sid Miller in the 2026 primary
Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller (left) and GOP primary challenger Nathan Sheets (right.) (Houston Chronicle Staff) Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller is facing a primary challenge from beekeeper and businessman Nate Sheets, with influential endorsements backing Sheets over Miller. Governor Greg Abbott and other prominent Republicans have endorsed Nate Sheets, citing concerns about corruption and the need for new leadership at the Texas Department of Agriculture.
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