LONESTAR — 4.11.2025 — Nehls Backs Paxton for Senate — Republicans Turn on Harrison — and More...

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Rep. Nehls Endorses Paxton for Senate

After months of generating speculation, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) has officially announced his campaign for the U.S. Senate, confirming a high-stakes 2026 Republican primary showdown with longtime Senator John Cornyn (R). The announcement is now followed by an endorsement from Texas Rep. Troy Nehls (R), who praised the attorney general as a “conservative warrior” and staunch defender of the “America First” agenda. READ MORE.

Tarrant GOP Chair Bo French: "I would like to thank everyone who asked and encouraged me to run in the Primary against Cornyn. It has been truly humbling. Ken Paxton is the right man for this job. I love what I am doing now and plan to stay engaged in the fights we have here."

Rep. Dan Crenshaw: "See? Trust the President. He understands trade and economics and NEGOTIATIONS better than his critics give him credit for. The critiques from certain Senate Republicans were premature, to say the least."

State Rep. John Bucy III: "Corrupt Ken Paxton just announced he's running for U.S. Senate. Indicted for fraud. Impeached for bribery. Still clinging to power. This. Is. Today's. Republican. Party."

Rep. Greg Casar: "BY LAW, ELON MUSK MUST BE REMOVED BY MAY 30th."

Rep. Nehls Endorses Paxton for Senate — By Texas Politics' Daniel Molina — After months of generating speculation, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) has officially announced his campaign for the U.S. Senate, confirming a high-stakes 2026 Republican primary showdown with longtime Senator John Cornyn (R). The announcement is now followed by an endorsement from Texas Rep. Troy Nehls (R), who praised the attorney general as a “conservative warrior” and staunch defender of the “America First” agenda.

Harrison Gains GOP Backlash After Speaker Burrows Debacle — By Texas Politics' Daniel Molina — State Rep. Brian Harrison (R) attempted to unseat House Speaker Dustin Burrows (R) this week, but the effort was futile. Not only did Speaker Burrows receive immense support, but state Rep. Harrison’s effort has now sparked a wave of backlash from within his own party. Republicans are now speaking out about their growing frustration over the state rep’s tactics and public persona.

Texas Senate Passes Trio of Bills Targeting Youth Vaping — By Texas Politics' Raeylee Barefield — The Texas Senate this week passed three bills designed to curb advertising and sales of vaping products to children. The legislative action comes amid growing concern about the unknown long-term health risks of vaping and the well-established dangers of nicotine addiction.

Texas Senate Cracks down on Squatters and Protects Property Owners — By Texas Politics' Raeylee Barefield — The Texas Senate has passed Senate Bill 38, a high-priority measure authored by Senator Paul Bettencourt (R) and championed by Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick (R), aimed at ending what lawmakers describe as a growing crisis of squatting across the state. The legislation seeks to restore property rights and reform what Bettencourt called a “broken” civil eviction process that has left hundreds of homeowners and landlords vulnerable to abuse.

Rep. Nehls Endorses Paxton for Senate — By Texas Politics' Daniel Molina

Body found on UT campus overnight, investigation ongoing— By Abigail Jones for KXAN Austin

LONESTAR is written by Javier Manjarres and Daniel Molina

Daniel Molina

Daniel Molina is a managing editor and legislative correspondent with a decade of experience covering the evolving political landscape of the American South and Southwest.