LONESTAR — 7.1.2025 — Abbott Calls Special Election for TX SD 9 Seat — Fallon Backs Trump's 'Golden Dome' Defense Plan — and More...

Abbott Calls Special Election for Texas Senate District 9

Governor Greg Abbott (R) scheduled a special election for Nov. 4 to fill the Texas Senate seat left vacant by Republican Kelly Hancock, who resigned earlier this month to serve as the state’s acting comptroller. The election will coincide with the state's uniform election date, during which voters will also weigh in on 17 proposed amendments to the Texas Constitution and various local contests. READ MORE.

Send us tips!: tips@DNM.news

Rep. August Pfluger: "The average taxpayer in my district would face a 26% tax increase if we don't pass the One Big Beautiful Bill. Failure is not an option. We must pass this bill to prevent the largest tax hike in history!"

Rep. Pat Fallon: "Passing the One Big Beautiful Bill will give American businesses the economic certainty they need to prosper. At the same time, it will put cash back into hard working Americans' wallets. A win-win for the US economy!"

Rep. Sylvia Garcia: "Trump's cruel immigration crackdown isn't just inhumane; it's an economic disaster for Houston. Immigrants are 38% of Texas construction workers, and ICE raids are gutting job sites and ripping families apart. We can't build our future by destroying communities."

Rep. Keith Self: "ICYMI: Even CNN is reporting gas prices are down just in time for the 4th of July! It's not rocket science. When you unleash American energy, hardworking families save more at the pump."

Abbott Calls Special Election for Texas Senate District 9 — By Texas Politics' Raeylee Barefield — Governor Greg Abbott (R) scheduled a special election for Nov. 4 to fill the Texas Senate seat left vacant by Republican Kelly Hancock, who resigned earlier this month to serve as the state’s acting comptroller. The election will coincide with the state's uniform election date, during which voters will also weigh in on 17 proposed amendments to the Texas Constitution and various local contests.

Fallon Backs Trump’s ‘Golden Dome’ Defense Plan — By Texas Politics' Daniel Molina — Following the recent “12 Day War” between Israel and Iran, Rep. Pat Fallon (R) is voicing strong support for President Donald Trump’s (R) effort to implement a national missile defense plan called the “Golden Dome.”

State Department to Revoke Rapper's Visa for Antisemitic Comments — By Texas Politics' Mateo Guillamont — The US State Department is reportedly planning to revoke British band Bob Vylan’s US visas due to their recent antisemitic comments.

Ted Cruz Defends AI Moratorium, Warns GOP Against Helping China — By Texas Politics' Raeylee Barefield — Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) and Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) are proposing changes to a controversial AI moratorium included in a sweeping Republican technology bill, seeking to ease concerns from GOP governors and preserve certain state-level protections.

Chair West Issues Warning Over Threat of Zohran Mamdani — By Texas Politics' Daniel Molina — Dallas County Republican Party Chair Allen West (R) is sounding the alarm over what he calls a growing threat of “leftist infiltration” in Texas politics. Chair West warns that figures like New York politician Zohran Mamdani (D) may already have counterparts gaining support in Texas.

Abbott Calls Special Election for Texas Senate District 9 — By Texas Politics' Raeylee Barefield

Texas has the highest percentage of uninsured adults, new study shows — By Lilly O'Neill for San Antonio Express-News

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.