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By Renzo Downey and The Texas Tribune Politics Team
130 days until the midterms
IN TODAY’S BLAST
Abbott’s troll job at the TDP Convention
Godless communists and a socialist from Palestine
TDP Convention tidbits
ABBOTT’S TROLL JOB AT THE TDP CONVENTION
If you thought Gov. Greg Abbott was done after bringing Paige the elephant to the Texas GOP Convention, it was only just the bull-ginning.
The Abbott campaign and Republicans have taken the Texas Democratic Convention by storm and stampede, scheduling a full slate of counterprogramming taunting Democrats as they gather in Corpus Christi. From their taco stand to their mobile billboard and even a pair of bulls, Abbott’s team captured the media attention before the convention could even hit its stride.
Team Abbott and their allies brought a food truck named Talarico’s Tacos, with selections including Talarico’s go-to Taco Joint order (potato, egg and cheese), “open border brisket” and “Democratic promises” — a plain tortilla.
Outside the Hilliard Center, a truck clowned Talarico and Democrats with a loop of soundbites clipped in a meme-style compilation video, set to “Entry of the Gladiators.” Abbott is also streaming the video on repeat on social media.
Republicans, including nearby Reps. Todd Hunter, J.M. Lozano and AJ Louderback crashed the Democrats’ party with a press conference hitting them on immigration, bail reform and LGBTQ issues.
However, the prime cuts were Buckero and Dallas, a pair of bulls the campaign marched to the grass outside the convention center to say, “Don’t buy the bull.” The campaign also posted a video of one of the bulls doing its business into a metal bucket.
“You can always count on Greg Abbott to bring the bullshit,” TDP posted.
With all the animal-themed antics coming from Dave Carney and the Abbott campaign, The Blast can’t help but think of James Carville’s “Chicken George” bit attacking President George H. W. Bush.
Any chance the Abbott campaign can get a bull into the convention hall?
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GODLESS COMMUNISTS AND A SOCIALIST FROM PALESTINE
While Texas Democrats prepare to welcome Sen. Bernie Sanders to their convention in Corpus Christi, President Donald Trump and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick are turning their attention to the “godless communists.”
Speaking at the Faith and Freedom Coalition’s conference in Washington this afternoon, the president warned that communists are taking over the Democratic Party. Democratic socialist Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s three left-wing congressional candidates swept their New York Democratic primaries this week, ousting two incumbent congressmen in the process.
“It’s becoming a communist party,” Trump said. “These are not social Dumocrats. These are hardcore, godless communists. They’re godless communists.”
“This is the most serious threat to our country since its existence, in my opinion, 250 years ago,” he added, encouraging people to vote in the midterms.
Sanders, perhaps the most famous democratic socialist in the country, will give a keynote speech at the convention tomorrow. His scheduled appearance has opened up Texas Democrats to the “socialism” line of attack from Gov. Greg Abbott and others, including state Rep. Mitch Little, R-Lewisville. Republicans’ mobile billboard also ran Democratic state Rep. James Talarico’s creepy smile headshot beside photos of Sanders and Mamdani.
In a statement to The Blast, TDP Executive Director Terri Burke said the party would continue campaigning on grocery bills, housing costs and healthcare costs.
“I’m in Corpus Christi with thousands of Democrats energized to flip Texas blue, and Trump’s attacks only prove one thing: they know the momentum is on our side,” Burke said. “Trump is scared he is going to lose, and to quote [Sen. John Cornyn], ‘he should be.’ Trump and Abbott can keep the insults coming.”
The “godless communists” attack also dovetails with the Republican National Committee’s recent oppo dump against Democratic state Rep. James Talarico, unearthing his old podcast comments about being a “Christian who hates Christianity” and calling Jesus a “socialist anarchist from ancient Palestine.” Republicans are using those soundbites to undermine the Senate nominee’s Christian identity.
At Republicans’ counter-presser, state Rep. J.M. Lozano, a former Democrat from Kingsville, called it ironic that they were meeting in Corpus Christi, which means “body of Christ,” while convening atheist and secular caucuses.
“It’s hard not to notice the contrast between this city’s Christian heritage and some of the political movements being shared down the street,” Lozano said.
Following Trump’s speech, Patrick spoke to the media at the Oval Office while delivering the Religious Liberty Commission’s report, commending Trump’s prior comments.
“We know what communists do around the world. They remove God, they close the churches, they punish the believers,” Patrick said, resting a hand on the back of Trump’s chair. “We didn’t know about this communist movement a year ago when we were here, but this is the perfect time to stand up and say to America, ‘You have been given this great inheritance, and you deserve to have religious liberty.’”
Patrick, chair of the commission Trump formed last year, said Democrats have taken the phrase “separation of church and state” — made popular by Thomas Jefferson — and run with it, using it to “batter and hammer” religious Americans for the last 70-plus years.
“This report will speak very clearly that we want to be sure Americans understand that they cannot be attacked by that phrase any longer,” Patrick continued.
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TDP CONVENTION TIDBITS
Here are some happenings from inside the convention hall”
Texas Democratic Party Chair Kendall Scudder opened the convention by acknowledging the local tribes who used to live in the Corpus Christi area. He named the Karankawas, stirring controversy from Republicans, who pointed to accounts that the Karankawas were cannibals. Modern scholars reject that characterization as an exaggeration.
Democrats reported having 2,851 delegates to start the convention. For comparison, the Texas GOP Convention two weeks ago began with 3,301 delegates and ended with 4,135 delegates, less than half of the budgeted delegates.
Dolores Huerta was a surprise special guest at the convention, sitting down for a Q&A on stage with Harris County Commissioner Lesley Briones. The 96-year-old labor activist touted the importance of the Hispanic vote and getting rid of right to work laws, and said state Rep. James Talarico would champion the Equal Rights Amendment. She led “Who’s got the power?” and “Sí se puede” chants against the “haters.”
In his keynote speech, U.S. Sen. Cory Booker, D-New Jersey, said national Democrats should invest more in Texas. “Stand up for Talarico,” he cheered while closing out his speech.
A pair of hecklers were escorted out of the hall during Booker’s speech.
Land commissioner candidate Benjamin Flores said he’s in remission after announcing his leukemia diagnosis two weeks ago. “I don’t merely want to expand Obamacare,” he said. “I want single-payer healthcare, because a pregnant mother in North Texas deserves the same level of care I just received in MD Anderson in Houston without worrying how to pay for it.”
“We’re all gay tofu-eating vegans” and “we’re all going to hell,” Flores added, responding to GOP critiques of Talarico.
Find the Texas Democratic Party platform here.
10 new speakers added to the TribFest lineup!
Connect with bold thinkers, leaders and innovators in unforgettable conversations grounded in the issues Texans care about most at The Texas Tribune Festival, Sept. 24–26 in downtown Austin.
New to the lineup:
Kevin Stitt, governor of Oklahoma
Sherrilyn Ifill, founding director of the 14th Amendment Center for Law & Democracy, Howard University
Mitch Little, state representative, R-Lewisville
Imani Perry, professor, Harvard University; author, “Black in Blues: How a Color Tells the Story of My People”
Ron Nirenberg, former mayor of San Antonio
Carla Espinoza-Grcic, attorney; former U.S. Immigration Judge
Karl Rove, former White House Deputy Chief of Staff
Elisa Villanueva Beard, president and CEO, Houston Endowment
Avi Loeb, director, Galileo Project, Harvard University
Joanna Lydgate, president and CEO, States United Democracy Center
Join us as these standout speakers — and hundreds more — spark conversations on the issues shaping Texas and the nation.
Members get the best price and perks. Donate $100 or more to get Texas Tribune Member benefits, including invitations to members-only sessions, priority access and $50 off your ticket.
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TribFest 2026 is presented by JPMorganChase.
U.S. Sen. John Cornyn came out against closing the state GOP primaries, sharing a Dallas Morning News op-ed by former Lege and Republican Party of Texas staffer Suzanne Bellsnyder. “Paving the way to minority party status,” Cornyn said of the effort. “Democrats haven’t turned Texas blue; Republican’s might.” Read more from the Tribune’s Samantha Habashy.
U.S. Rep. Keith Self, R-McKinney, introduced a resolution to repeal the 17th amendment, which would give state legislatures back the job of appointing U.S. senators. “The current system has given us six-year politicians more focused on national ambitions and the institution of the U.S. Senate than on the states they serve,” Self said in a press release. Cosponsors include U.S. Rep. Michael Cloud, R-Victoria. Paging U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz.
The Texas Conservative Coalition Research Institute and the James Madison Institute’s new report, titled “The Litigation Lobby,” details the history of the tort reform fight. “This paper holds those reforms up as an example that we hope other states will follow,” TCCRI Executive Director Tom Aldred said in a press release. It also addresses the millions in PAC dollars spent by trial lawyers and their allies in Texas and Florida. Not mentioned, of course, were the millions spent by Texans for Lawsuit Reform.
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“Mandated Bible stories in reading lists, revamped history for Texas public schools approved,” by Jaden Edison of The Texas Tribune
“Austin City Council has been voting in secret for years, despite the city’s claims of transparency,” by Mose Buchele and Nathan Bernier of KUT
Battleground Bexar: “National Democrats target pair of state legislative races in San Antonio,” by Andrea Drusch of the San Antonio Report
“Democratic Fort Bend county commissioners walk out of meeting in protest to appointed Republican county judge,” by Holly Hansen of The Texan
Update on more animal antics: “Gracie the Giraffe is found ‘fat and happy’ 2 weeks after escaping ranch,” by Victor Mather of The New York Times
Who’s going to mention state Rep. Gina Hinojosa first, the Texas Democratic Party or Gov. Greg Abbott?
Do you or someone in your office have a birthday you’d like mentioned? Email us.
(June 26) State Rep. John Bucy, D-Austin
(June 27) State Rep. Mike Schofield, R-Katy
(June 28) Texas Politics Project’s Jim Henson
(June 28) Elon Musk
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Disclosure: Loewy Law Firm, The New York Times and Texans for Lawsuit Reform have been financial supporters of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors. Financial supporters play no role in the Tribune's journalism. Find a complete list of them here.