Cruz’s thrice-weekly podcast, “Verdict,” has become an integral part of his day-to-day life as a senator — and a tool in his effort to win reelection this fall.
Jasper Scherer
Jasper Scherer is the politics editor for The Texas Tribune. He oversees a team of reporters in Austin and Washington who lead the newsroom’s coverage of campaigns and elections, watchdog Texas' top officials, and translate what the state’s political and legislative developments mean for Texans. Jasper previously reported on politics for the Tribune, which he joined after stints covering politics and government at the state and local levels for the Houston Chronicle and San Antonio Express-News. A native of San Francisco, Jasper graduated from Northwestern University with degrees in journalism and political science in 2017, the same year he began covering Texas politics. He is based in Austin.
Posted in
2024 Texas Elections
Ted Cruz, Colin Allred agree to debate in U.S. Senate race
The Oct. 15 debate will mark the first time the nominees will face each other onstage before the November election.
Posted in
Politics
Ken Paxton withdrew an opinion on gun bans weeks after suing Texas state fair for a similar restriction
Paxton sued Dallas and state fair officials last month, arguing the fair’s private organizer had violated state law by banning firearms on the fairgrounds.
Posted in
2024 Texas Elections
State Rep. James Frank becomes fourth Republican to challenge Dade Phelan for House speaker
Frank said he would work to bring better communication, member empowerment and management of the flow of legislation if he became the chamber’s leader.
Posted in
The 2024 Texas Tribune Festival
Republican Rep. Tony Gonzales predicts GOP will lose control of the House
Gonzales, who represents a Texas border district, tells a Tribune Festival audience that his own party will be to blame for defeats in the November election.
Posted in
2024 Texas Elections
Ken Paxton sues Bexar County over voter registration outreach effort
The move escalates Texas Republicans’ brewing fight with urban counties over initiatives to proactively send applications to unregistered voters.
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2024 Texas Elections
State Rep. Shawn Thierry switches to GOP, says Democratic Party has “lost its way”
The Houston Democrat lost her seat amid backlash from primary voters over her support for a GOP bill barring transition-related care for minors.
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2024 Texas Elections
Colin Allred’s understated campaign strategy draws mixed reviews from fellow Democrats
Allred’s sharp divergence from Beto O’Rourke’s more active campaign style has stirred dissent among some Democrats. His allies say it’s working.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Texas DPS Director Steve McCraw retiring after 15 years as state’s top law enforcement officer
The longtime head of the Department of Public Safety will step down at the end of the year.
Posted in
2024 Texas Elections
Harris shrinks Trump’s lead in Texas, Allred within striking distance of Cruz, poll finds
The poll is among the first to measure where things stand in Texas since President Joe Biden dropped his reelection bid last month.
