Texas House of Representatives

The runoff features two Republicans from dueling factions of the party, Jill Dutton and Brent Money, vying to finish the term of former state Rep. Bryan Slaton, R-Royse City.

A version of the bill that would send public money to private schools passed through a Senate committee on Thursday. Gov. Greg Abbott made such legislation one of his top priorities in this fourth special legislative session.

Five Republicans and one Democrat were on the ballot for the ruby-red seat, but most of the drama has focused on two GOP candidates, Dutton and Money.

Wednesday night’s development comes after months of fierce infighting between GOP lawmakers — and with less than a week left in the current special session. Lawmakers only have until Tuesday, Nov. 7 to send legislation to Gov. Greg Abbott’s desk.

As the impeachment trial of suspended Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton winds down, lawyers for the three-term Republican opened their defense by calling two senior staffers who have stuck by the suspended attorney general. The defense team rested its case late Thursday afternoon.

When Paxton’s Senate impeachment trial starts next week, attention will turn toward the Republican senators who will decide his fate.

The motion asks Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick to block the senators from voting on articles of impeachment, arguing that past statements critical of the attorney general show unacceptable bias.

It all depends on how many days the Texas Legislature stays in session.

Rep. Julie Johnson, first elected to the Texas House in 2018, joins a crowded primary to succeed Allred, who is giving up his solidly Democratic seat to run against U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz next year.

Seven Republican and five Democratic lawmakers have been tasked with presenting the evidence to Texas senators in the hopes that they will convince them to convict Paxton.

The panel's decision comes as part of a months-long investigation into Paxton's settlement of a lawsuit brought by four whistleblowers who were fired in 2020 after making accusations about the Republican's misdeeds.

The literal dumpster fire erupted hours after a House committee publicly detailed its investigation into Paxton over allegations of abuse of office.