The Blast - August 20, 2025

24 days until sine die
80 days until the candidate filing period begins
110 days until the candidate filing deadline

IN TODAY’S BLAST

• “See you back in court”

• The new map’s effect on Crenshaw vs. Toth

• Brian Harrison splits with GOP caucus over debate timing

• Dan Patrick: Did I stutter?

• Members’ responses from the SREC task force report

“SEE YOU BACK IN COURT”

On the Texas House floor today, Democrats prepared for the inevitable passage of the GOP’s proposed congressional map, setting the groundwork for a future lawsuit against the mid-decade redistricting.

While the map’s sponsor, Rep. Todd Hunter, R-Corpus Christi, repeatedly said the lines were redrawn using political considerations, Democrats tried to provide a record to show that Republicans were packing and cracking districts based on race. The proposal splits historic minority communities and groups them with rural districts many miles away, they argued.

“It’s easy when staring at a map of Texas on your computer to look at spreadsheets with population data and voter turnout and use it to draw shapes that will help you win elections,” said Rep. Armando Walle, D-Houston, “but redistricting is about the people and the communities and creating districts that comply with the principle of one person, one vote.”

Rep. Linda Garcia, D-Mesquite, noted that TX-32 would drop from a Black and Hispanic coalition district into a majority white district, watering down the Dallas County core by attaching it to several other counties. 

“This is not a minor adjustment,” she said. “This is deliberate dismantling of minority voting strength in North Texas.”

It was a testy eight-plus hours of debate. There were several assertions about “racist” maps and comparisons to slavery, dictatorships and the Nazis. Republicans took issue with those characterizations.

“It is my observation that House members that repeatedly accuse others of racism are in fact the most racist people I have ever met,” Rep. James Frank, R-Wichita Falls, posted on social media. “They don’t seem capable of seeing people’s identity separate from their race.”

Meanwhile, House Speaker Dustin Burrows and the GOP caucus got a lift from the White House on the eve of the House vote.

“All we need to do is keep it this way, which is exactly why Texas Republicans need to help us WIN the 2026 Midterm Elections, and pass their new Bill, AS IS, for the ONE BIG, BEAUTIFUL CONGRESSIONAL MAP!” President Donald Trump posted. “With the Texas House now in Quorum, thanks to GREAT Speaker Dustin Burrows, I call on all of my Republican friends in the Legislature to work as fast as they can to get THIS MAP to Governor Greg Abbott’s desk, ASAP.”

While redistricting and the quorum break have helped solidify Republican support for Burrows, he may also be shedding support from Democrats, who helped put him over the finish line to elect him speaker at the start of the year. That may have implications for the next speaker’s race.

“This is shameful what is happening here, Mr. Speaker,” said Rep. Vince Perez, D-El Paso, “and with this map, I can no longer, in good conscience, continue to support you.”

Texas GOP Chair Abraham George pounced on the moment on social media.

“[Burrows] has been a strong ally on redistricting,” George said. “If Democrats want to pick a fight with him, it’s time for the Republican Caucus to rally behind the speaker. This is also the perfect moment to strip Democrats of their vice chairmanships and subcommittee chairs.”

In a statement heralding the map’s passage, Burrows said the redistricting fight had “ushered in a new chapter of Republican unity, and I am proud to have led my colleagues in this important achievement.”

No punishment is guaranteed for Democrats. But one thing is for certain.

“We will see you back in court very soon,” said Rep. Chris Turner, D-Grand Prairie.

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THE NEW MAP’S EFFECT ON CRENSHAW VS. TOTH

The most obvious change to the newest draft for the Houston-area congressional districts shifted the proposed TX-09 from a Trump +15 district to a Trump +20 district. But a more subtle change could help U.S. Rep. Dan Crenshaw defend his seat against state Rep. Steve Toth’s primary challenge over in neighboring TX-02.

TX-02 has gone through significant changes since Crenshaw, a Republican from Humble, was first elected in 2018. Throughout that time, however, Crenshaw has always represented parts of Spring, Humble, Atascocita and Kingwood. That would have changed in the version proposed at the start of the first and second special sessions.

As originally proposed, TX-02 would have lost parts of Atascocita, Kingwood and the northeast corner of Harris County, trading it for more of Conroe and Montgomery County. The version introduced in committee on Monday and passed by the House today would give back something like 9,000 people who voted in the 2024 TX-02 primary, a constituency that has known Crenshaw for almost eight years.

Toth’s district, HD-15, sits entirely within the current and proposed TX-02 districts. It’s part of the Montgomery County territory that TX-02 picked up in 2023 when it was moved north, making the seat more Republican. Toth, a tea party-type from The Woodlands area, was first elected in 2012 and is in his fifth term, meaning he has represented that area a good bit longer than Crenshaw.

Former U.S. Rep. Kevin Brady’s retirement during the last redistricting cycle allowed Republicans to split his Montgomery County-based TX-08 and strengthen the GOP vote in Crenshaw’s TX-02 and other surrounding districts. The first map proposed this summer would’ve pushed that even further, making TX-02 a majority-Montgomery district. The new proposal reverts much of that, while giving TX-09 enough Republican territory to help solidify that seat for the GOP.

The tradeoff is that TX-02 now picks up western Houston territory that Crenshaw hasn’t represented for years.

Toth thinks the new map might help Crenshaw a little more, but he’s OK with the change, including with the new Houston additions.

“I would have liked to have them leave it alone,” he told The Blast. “They changed it. It’s OK. We’re all right. No big deal.”

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BRIAN HARRISON SPLITS WITH GOP CAUCUS OVER DEBATE TIMING

Republicans gave Democrats a long leash to speak their mind on the redistricting bill, frequently granting extra time for debate. However, Rep. Brian Harrison of Midlothian and a disgruntled group of GOP lawmakers repeatedly voted against allowing Democrats to extend their questioning.

Harrison, who still rails against House Speaker Dustin Burrows even after many of his hardline conservative colleagues have grown complimentary of his leadership, objected to extensions throughout the day, forcing several votes on the matter.

Burrows even intervened at one point to “show the speaker voting aye.” House speakers typically save their votes for when they’re trying to signal a top priority.

Extending time is a gift to Democrats, argued Harrison, who has criticized Burrows for not punishing members of the minority caucus after their quorum break killed the first special session.

But Harrison’s deskmate, Rep. Alan Schoolcraft, a hardline Republican from McQueeney, shot back at Harrison in his social media replies.

“The Republican caucus met this morning and agreed on a strategy to help [ensure] we win the court challenge to this plan. This includes giving the Dems some debate time,” Schoolcraft posted. “It is amazing to see us sticking together and working as a team. Brian Harrison is actively undermining us.”

DAN PATRICK: DID I STUTTER?

Don’t believe the haters. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick is, in fact, running for reelection.

Patrick, lieutenant governor and president of the Texas Senate for the last 10 years, has heard so many rumors that he’s retiring that he shut down those whispers in a press conference yesterday, flanked by his endorsed slate of GOP candidates to serve in that body.

The notice advertising Patrick’s press conference was a little vague, mentioning only a “campaign announcement,” adding more fuel to the rumors.

“People have been speculating on what I’m going to say today,” Patrick said. “I’ve announced I was running for lieutenant governor five or six times. No one seems to believe me.”

He’s been saying he’ll be on the ballot in 2026 since at least January 2023, and repeated it as recently as April.

“I’m not stepping back at any point in time,” Patrick said. “I didn’t raise $5 million in five days in June if I wasn’t running.”

“I’m all in. I’ve always been all in,” he continued.

Patrick, 75, said he’s heard he’s going to go serve as the senior pastor of Houston’s Second Baptist Church. He also addressed rumors about his health that have floated around the Capitol for years.

“I don’t have any health issues, folks,” Patrick said. “I’m in great health.”

The candidate filing deadline is Dec. 8.

MEMBERS’ RESPONSES FROM THE SREC TASK FORCE REPORT

The State Republican Executive Committee published its 50-plus page Legislative Task Force Report, including a 14-page recording of votes from its recent meetings amending the initial report and 60-plus pages of lawmakers’ responses to the initial report. That document lives here.

Some notable snippets from the responses:

• State Rep. Candy Noble, R-Lucas: “While I was on the SREC we actually had 102 Republicans in the Texas House because [Texas GOP] Chairman Steve Munisteri encouraged party growth. This splitting of hairs doesn’t solve the real issues that face our state. We have an opportunity to grow our party or tear it down. I ask you, and pray for you, that we go back to celebrating our wins and stop beating the drum on the things that didn’t turn out as we wished.”

• State Rep. David Spiller, R-Jacksboro: “Since when does initiating a procedural mechanism to call the question and end needless debate and proposed amendments by Democrats constitute the violation of a legislative priority? Where is calling the question included in the RPT legislative priorities? You’ve changed the rules after the game has started, moved the goalposts, and changed the score after the game is completed.”

• State Rep. Terry Wilson, R-Georgetown: “By its very definition, a person cannot be held ‘Accountable” without being afforded that ability to give an accounting of their actions and tell their side of the story. I greatly appreciate that the SREC chose to change from its original course and offer this opportunity for actual ‘accountability’ rather than simply establishing liability without a true accounting first.” Wilson’s response also has a section on “Attempted interference and censure threats in the 89th Legislative Session.”

Just in: More all-star speakers confirmed for TribFest

Get ready to be inspired by bold thinkers, leaders and innovators at the 15th annual Texas Tribune Festival, happening Nov. 13-15 in downtown Austin.

This year’s lineup just got even more exciting with the addition of state Rep. Caroline Fairly, R-Amarillo; former United States Attorney General Eric Holder; Abby Phillip, anchor of “CNN NewsNight”; Aaron Reitz, 2026 Republican candidate for Texas attorney general; and state Rep. James Talarico, D-Austin plus 15 more.

These speakers join a dynamic roster of hundreds of voices addressing the issues shaping Texas and the nation.

Get tickets now and join us in November. Donate $50 or more to become a Texas Tribune member and get a $50 ticket discount, access to members-only sessions, and more. 

Also, discounted tickets (just $65!) are available for educators and students.

Buy your tickets now and see the future of Texas at TribFest.

TribFest 2025 is presented by JPMorganChase.

This week:

• Six flooding and disaster bills are on the House calendar for tomorrow.

• The House Public Education Committee will meet at 8 a.m. tomorrow to consider HB 8, the bill to replace the STAAR Test.

• The Senate Special Committee on Congressional Redistricting will meet at 9 a.m. tomorrow and is expected to advance the version of the congressional map approved by the House today.

• The House Natural Resources Committee will consider two groundwater conservation district permitting bills tomorrow at 2 p.m. or upon completion of the House’s business.

• The House Public Health Committee will meet at 9 a.m. Friday to consider a youth camp bill and Rep. Joanne Shofner’s ivermectin bill.

View the full list of upcoming committee notices here and here.

The House will convene at 10 a.m. tomorrow.
The Senate will convene at 7 p.m. tomorrow.

View the House and Senate floor calendars here and here.

• Rep. Ramon Romero, D-Dallas, and his girlfriend made lasagna for his Department of Public Safety escort on Monday night. — Eleanor Klibanoff

• Rep. Sheryl Cole, D-Austin, says her DPS escort lost sight of her during her morning trail walk in Mueller yesterday. She posted that the officer threatened to arrest her over it. “He lost me on the trail, got angry about it, and made a scene in front of my constituents on the trail,” she wrote.

• Representatives had to grab a hall pass if they wanted to exit the House floor today during consideration of House Bill 4.

• SD-9: President Donald Trump endorsed Patriot Mobile’s Leigh Wambsganss to succeed former state Sen. Kelly Hancock, R-North Richland Hills. Wambsganss has been endorsed by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick for that seat. Posted fellow GOP candidate John Huffman: “Last time I checked, we had elections, not selections.”

• SD-22: Trump also endorsed state Rep. David Cook, R-Mansfield, to succeed retiring state Sen. Brian Birdwell, R-Granbury.

• HD-125: Donovon Rodriguez, the chief of staff running to replace his boss, retiring state Rep. Ray Lopez, D-San Antonio, posted an ad today encouraging people to stand by Democrats through the redistricting fight.

Do you or someone in your office have a new job you’d like mentioned? Email us.

• Pine Cove Capital, led by former Texas Land Commissioner George P. Bush, has rebranded as Pine Cove Strategies and added a government relations practice in addition to its consulting work. Public Policy Holding Company announced it was purchasing Pine Cove Capital in July.

• The University of Texas System Board of Regents voted today to name former Texas Republican lawmaker John Zerwas the system’s next chancellor. They also named Jim Davis, who has served as interim president of the University of Texas at Austin since February, as the flagship’s next permanent president. — Jessica Priest

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“‘My daughter was stolen from me’: Grieving parents point to Texas camp failures at Capitol hearing” by Terri Langford of The Texas Tribune

“El Paso judge blocks Ken Paxton from taking legal action against Beto O’Rourke’s political group” by Alejandro Serrano of The Texas Tribune

Time for a refresher: “How Texas’ ‘bathroom bills’ have evolved over a decade” by Ayden Runnels of The Texas Tribune

Do you or someone in your office have a birthday you’d like mentioned? Email us.

(Aug. 21) State Rep. Lacey Hull, R-Houston

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