Candidates are making their final pitches to voters as Texans head to the polls in one of the most contentious elections the state has ever seen. Plus, families from Uvalde confront the head of the state police, demanding that he resign. Join the conversation with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace.

Early voting in person starts Monday across Texas and the candidates up and down the ballot are working hard to get their voters to the polls. Join the conversation with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace.

Gov. Greg Abbott and Beto O'Rourke were neck and neck in fundraising this time around as they head into the homestretch of this election and we now have a $200 million governor's race. Plus, musicians are getting involved in this campaign season in creative and perhaps more aggressive ways than in the past. Join the conversation with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace.

The statewide combatants for Governor of Texas are now blistering each other in television ads about the economy, guns, and more. What's really resonating with voters? Plus: Do Democrats really have a shot at winning the race for Texas Attorney General? Join the conversation with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace.

This week: A special episode focusing on the one and only scheduled debate between Beto O'Rourke and Greg Abbott. Join the conversation with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace. 

Year after year, Texas Republicans have promised to "fix" property taxes. But with those tax bills rising, Democrats are calling them out for it as suburban homeowners seem increasingly up for grabs in the November election. Plus: Democrats are on defense about immigration and the economy. Join the conversation with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace.

We're back. Gov. Greg Abbott has the attention of national Democrats now with his migrant busing stunt. Plus, he achieved something that's become pretty uncommon: Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis followed Abbott's lead instead of the other way around. Join the conversation with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace.

Parents of victims of the Uvalde massacre traveled to Austin this week to demand that Gov. Abbott take action on new gun laws. But Abbott says raising the legal age for certain firearms purchases would be unconstitutional. Plus Sen. Ted Cruz slams young people as "slacker" baristas who need to put down "the bong." But it sounds like he's actually nervous that those young people will get out to vote after President Biden moved to cancel some student debt. Join the conversation with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace. 

Across Texas, most GOP statewide candidates including Gov. Abbott seem to have gone quiet on the issue of abortion while Democrats have launched an all out air war against Republicans for pushing abortion restrictions with no exceptions. Join the conversation with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace. 

From abortion rights to gun violence, women in Texas who might otherwise vote for Republicans are angry about a host of issues and saying they cannot support Greg Abbott this fall. Of course, it's anecdotal so there's no way to know just yet how much political danger this creates for the Texas GOP. Plus: Rep. Dan Crenshaw says it's time to unfollow the trolls online. Join the conversation with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace.

Uvalde tops the show once again after Beto O'Rourke dropped the f-bomb responding to a heckler who laughed as the Democrat was talking about the massacre of children at an elementary school. Plus, some Texas Republicans have been slow to defend President Trump after his home was raided by the FBI. Join the conversation with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace. 

It's August and Republicans and Democrats are talking past each other on too many issues to count: Abortion, the electricity grid, immigration, and more. Plus: Why did Ted Cruz and Jon Stewart spend part of the week at each other's throats? Join the conversation with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace. 

Leaders in Uvalde are getting the brush off from Gov. Greg Abbott as they call for changes to gun laws in this state. Plus, the push for school vouchers heats up in Austin and national Democrats just cannot get it right in the way they're trying to convince Texas Latinos to choose them. Join the conversation with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace. 

Howdy Texas Take listeners, please enjoy this bonus episode by Lisa Gray and her team at City Cast Houston. This episode was originally published June 6, 2022. Fear not, Scott and Jeremy will be back next week. At 17, Keri Blakinger was a top-level ice skater. But after her skating career fell apart, so did she. She ended up living on the streets shooting and selling heroin. In 2010, she was busted carrying a Tupperware full of it. Now, after two and a half years in prison, she lives in Houston and covers prisons herself as a top-level journalist for the Marshall Project. Her memoir Corrections In Ink was released June 7th.

As the campaigns and the summer heat up, Gov. Greg Abbott faces accusations of abandoning the people in Uvalde following the worst school shooting in Texas history. Plus, Beto O'Rourke is on the campaign trail in places not particularly hospitable to Democrats. Join the conversation with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace, reporting this week from Muleshoe, Texas.

We now have several polls showing a tightening race for governor between Greg Abbott and Beto O'Rourke. But what the polls say about Texans' attitudes across a host of issues might be more telling than anything. Plus, the mayor of Uvalde insists the state is trying to cover up what really happened during the massacre at Robb Elementary School. Join the conversation with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace.

If anyone thought the Supreme Court ruling overturning Roe v Wade was the last word in the abortion fight, they were very wrong. Texas lawmakers are already plotting ways to try to keep women from traveling to other states to seek abortions. Meantime, a tragedy in San Antonio reignites the immigration and border security debate in Austin and DC. Join the conversation with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace. 

Breaking news on Friday as the US Supreme Court overturned Roe v Wade and Texas abortion clinics halted services. Plus, Sen. John Cornyn is nearly booed off the stage at the Republican Party of Texas Convention as he pushes through the most significant gun safety legislation in a generation. Join the conversation with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace.

About a month after the Uvalde massacre, both the cops and politicians are under heavy scrutiny for their indecision and delay in reacting on the day of the shooting as well as a policy response in the halls of power. Join us for another special edition of the show with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace. 

As politicians with the biggest platforms debate gun policy in Texas and America, the smallest voices can be heard now saying they're afraid to even go back to school following the shooting in Uvalde. Join us for a special edition of the show with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace.  

Day after day, new information emerges about the massacre in Uvalde and much of it completely contradicts what had previously been understood about the rampage. How can we sort that out plus address the issues now raised about gun control and school safety? Join us for another special edition of the show with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace. 

Grief and agony after 19 children and 2 teachers were gunned down in Uvalde, Texas, sending shockwaves around this nation and the world. Gov. Greg Abbott and his challenger Beto O'Rourke came face to face in the aftermath and the debate seems to have shifted, for the moment, away from the usual talking points from both sides. Join us for a special edition of the show with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace.

Another electricity grid scare in Texas as the Abbott Administration plays a potentially deadly game of hide-the-ball with energy conservation requests in May. Plus, have the words of Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, Sen. Ted Cruz, and others pushed some young and impressionable people to commit acts of violence against people of color? Join the conversation with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace.   

Gov. Greg Abbott this week went further than any Texas governor ever has in promoting a school voucher program, potentially upending the state's politics. Plus, the fight over abortion rights is playing out in the race for governor as well as a key South Texas race for Congress. Join the conversation with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace.

Abortion rights are front and center once again in Texas as it appears the United States Supreme Court is poised to overturn the landmark Roe v Wade decision. Plus, Sen. Cruz predicts Republicans are going to sweep elections this year in South Texas, when he really means parts of The Valley. Join the conversation with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace. 

As Gov. Greg Abbott ramps up "border security" spending even more, there are growing questions about the increasing number of military deaths along the Rio Grande. Plus, Rep. Chip Roy calls Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez a "communist witch" and a Texas death row inmate's life is spared at the last minute. Join the conversation with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace.   

Gov. Greg Abbott and Beto O'Rourke traded jabs this week in the race for governor over Abbott's shutdown of the Texas-Mexico border. Plus, a right-wing activist in Houston was indicted over an election fraud conspiracy theory and some in the Texas GOP started to ramp up pressure on state leaders to embrace a school voucher program. At least not yet, anyway. Join the conversation with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace.

Gov. Greg Abbott this week announced he'd be busing migrants from the Texas border to Washington, DC. But later his office let us all know it would be on a voluntary basis. Liberals and some conservatives alike blasted it as a "bullshit stunt." Meantime, we're sorry to tell you it's not likely that Beto O'Rourke and Abbott are actually tied in the race for governor. At least not yet, anyway. Join the conversation with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace. 

After trashing renewable energy during last year's deadly winter storm, Gov. Greg Abbott this week did something of an about face on the value of renewable energy sources in Texas. Plus, Sen. John Cornyn signals Republicans are not done with their fight in opposition to gay marriage. Join the conversation with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace.  More politics coverage from the Houston Chronicle.

Sen. Ted Cruz sought the spotlight during the confirmation hearings for President Biden's pick for the Supreme Court, Judge Katanji Brown Jackson. Plus, we revisit this question: Is Beto O'Rourke too mean this time around in his campaign against Gov. Greg Abbott or is he being just mean enough? Join the conversation with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace. READ: After being mocked by Ted Cruz during SCOTUS hearing, 'Antiracist Baby' book hits bestseller list More Texas politics from the Houston Chronicle.

Gov. Greg Abbott continues to slam President Joe Biden over the deadly flow of fentanyl across the border even though, as Jeremy notes, both the feds and the state are having some success cracking down on it. Plus the State of Texas goes after families with transgender children as alleged "child abusers" while the state acknowledges horrific child abuse in state-funded facilities. Join the conversation with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace.

The Texas primary is in the books and the GOP candidates for Attorney General are already arguing over which one of them should get a show of love from former President Trump. Meantime one of the Democrats running for Lt. Gov. called on the other to drop out of the race. Why? Plus congressional runoffs may test the strength of progressives in South Texas. Join the conversation with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace.  More Texas politics from the Houston Chronicle.

As the clock ticks down to March 1 and early voting wraps up, top Texas Republicans broke with ex-President Trump this week when he praised Russian President Vladimir Putin after he ordered troops to invade Ukraine. Plus three of the GOP candidates for Texas Attorney General faced off in a televised debate as they looked for a chance at a runoff with AG Ken Paxton, who did not join them on stage. Join the conversation with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace. More: Election 2022 on HoustonChronicle.com.

Just two days before a key deadline, Texas Secretary of State John Scott attempted to clear up confusion about how to apply for a mail-in ballot while Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick managed to confuse GOP voters about how to do it. Meanwhile, some listeners wanted to know our thoughts on AOC's comments that Texas will inevitably "turn blue." Join the conversation with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace.  More Texas politics on HoustonChronicle.com.

Early voting has begun in the election of consequence in Texas: The primary. Gov. Greg Abbott, Attorney General Ken Paxton, and Ag Commissioner Sid Miller all face multiple challengers as they try to win by pushing in all their chips on former President Trump's endorsement. Down ballot races are heating up as well and we've got you covered. Join the conversation with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace. Portions of this episode were recorded before a live audience at the Texas REALTORS® Winter Meeting in Austin.

The latest ice storm in Texas, almost nothing like the one that was so devastating last year, has mostly passed but not without causing a panic across the state and potential political fallout on the campaign trail. Plus, Republicans lash out at Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo after the funeral of a fallen officer. Join the conversation with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace.

Former President Trump is slated to return to Houston this weekend as a war rages within the Texas GOP over his endorsement of Gov. Greg Abbott. Plus, Beto O'Rourke sets the tone for in-person campaigning and in-person voting despite lingering concerns about the pandemic. Join the conversation with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace.  <iframe src="https://omny.fm/shows/texas-take/the-trump-show-returns-to-texas/embed" width="100%" height="180" frameborder="0" title="The Trump Show Returns to Texas "></iframe>

As he courts GOP primary voters and makes good on promises to contributors, Gov. Greg Abbott has to carefully maintain that he's pro-public education in Texas while pushing more "school choice" initiatives including a "Parental Bill of Rights." Meanwhile, Beto O'Rourke had an impressive fundraising haul and Rep. Dan Crenshaw gets into an argument with a young girl because it's possible he just talks too much. Join the conversation with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace.

With the March primary coming up faster than you think, candidates for statewide office are crisscrossing Texas making their pitch to voters. The Republicans and the Democrat trying to oust Gov. Greg Abbott are slamming him on everything from the border to covid. Meantime, the race for Texas Agriculture Commissioner emerges as maybe the nastiest race of the moment. Join the conversation with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace. 

2022 in Texas politics starts with GOP politicians going out of their way not to speak too harshly about the January 6th insurrection. That includes Sen. Ted Cruz, who called the attackers "terrorists" until a Fox News host took him to task for it. Plus, the race for governor is heating up with bipartisan attacks against Gov. Greg Abbott. Join the conversation as we start the year with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace. 

Now that the Supreme Court has let stand a six-week abortion ban in Texas enforced by civil lawsuits, Democratic states want to crack down on guns using a similar scheme while some GOP states want to unleash private lawsuits over "critcal race theory." Plus, Texas' highest criminal court puts an end to Attorney General Ken Paxton's prosecutions of what he calls "voter fraud" cases. Join the conversation as we end the year with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace. 

With the filing deadline approaching Monday, this is when the rubber meets the road for anyone who wants to run for office in Texas. Plus, the state is in court with the feds over abortion, redistricting, and more. And Attorney General Ken Paxton is lavished with praise by ex-President Trump. Is that really all it takes to win this GOP primary? Join the conversation featuring Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace.

As Democratic candidate Beto O'Rourke ramps up his attacks on Gov. Greg Abbott over the failure of the Texas electricity grid earlier this year, the Republican governor says he can "guarantee the lights will stay on." Plus, the vaccine mandate wars continue in Austin and Washington as Abbott tries desperately to avoid another special session of the Legislature. Join the conversation featuring Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace. 

After months of anticipation among Texas Democrats, former Rep. Beto O'Rourke this week announced his candidacy for governor against Gov. Greg Abbott. Plus, retirements are stacking up in the Texas Legislature as new candidates come forward to file for office all across the Great State. Join the conversation featuring Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace. 

The Texas Attorney General's race got a jolt this week as archconservative Congressman Louie Gohmert announced he's considering running against Trump-endorsed incumbent Ken Paxton in the GOP primary. Plus, some in the Texas GOP now have a new target for their anger: Big Bird. Yes, you read that right. Join the conversation featuring Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace. 

From abortion to election laws, Texas and the United States are locking horns in court. Plus, retirements abound in the Texas Legislature just as the campaign season is set to kick off with candidates throwing their hats in the ring starting in about a week. Connect with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace. 

Why are Texas Republicans, including Gov. Abbott, embracing a chant that goes "Let's go Brandon"? Well, the answer actually informs just about everything happening in the state's politics at the moment. Plus the new Texas abortion law will be before the Supreme Court next week. Connect with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace. 

Gov. Abbott racked up wins and losses in the finally-concluded special legislative session, including a big loss on vaccine mandates. Plus the new Texas Secretary of State is a Trump loyalist who tried to overturn the election last year. Connect with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace. 

Amid a flurry of issues in Texas politics as another special session careens toward its end, we thought it would be good to slow down a little and talk about potential long term consequences of some of the debates unfolding at the Capitol this year. Connect with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace. 

Even when a school shooting dominates national headlines after every parent's nightmare unfolded at a high school in North Texas, it only gets a passing mention from this state's leadership as they seek to focus attention on the border. Plus, women take to the streets of Texas to protest the state's new abortion law and Matthew Dowd starts taking some heat in his bid to be the Democratic nominee for Lieutenant Governor. Connect with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace.