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John Cornyn’s Democratic Challengers Feel a Little Familiar
There’s a robust field of Democrats lining up to take on the state’s senior senator. The last time that happened was in 2002, when Cornyn first won the open seat.
Justin Miller
Justin Miller is the news and politics editor for the Texas Observer. He joined the Observer in 2018 as a staff writer covering state politics and the Legislature. He’s covered lobbying and money in politics, border security and state contracting, and much more. He previously worked at The American Prospect magazine and received a journalism degree from the University of Minnesota.
Articles by Justin Miller
The Cost of Carve-Outs
Lawmakers passed an omnibus school finance and property tax reform bill this session, but didn’t include a way to pay for it past 2021. One place to look: corporate tax breaks.
Meet Maria Espinoza, the Texan Elevating ‘Angel Moms’ to the National Stage
Espinoza, a Houston native, is founder of the Trump-endorsed Remembrance Project. She seeks to squelch amnesty efforts, deport anyone who’s here illegally and harden the border.
Top Economist for Texas’ Most Influential Policy Shop is Headed to the Trump Administration
Vance Ginn, who orchestrated TPPF’s radically right-wing economic agenda, is the latest staffer from the influential think tank to work for the president.
The Power Politics Behind the House’s Bipartisan, Kumbaya, Feel-Good Session
House Speaker Dennis Bonnen altered his party’s near-term agenda in service of the GOP’s long-term political project: Power. Will it work?
Trump Megadonor and Houston Mayoral Candidate Is a Top Sponsor for Democratic Fundraiser with Hillary Clinton
How Tony Buzbee, a wealthy insurgent trying to oust Sylvester Turner, went from bankrolling Trump to being a “White Pantsuit Sponsor” for Hillary Clinton-headlined event.
The GOP Failed to Ban Paid Sick Leave and the Business Lobby is Livid
Texas businesses are growing increasingly disgruntled that Dan Patrick appears unable to stop poisoning their political agenda with right-wing social warfare.
The $9 Billion School Finance Problem in Speaker Bonnen’s Backyard
While legislators focused on school finance and property taxes, a silent culprit continued to metastasize. If Chapter 313, a corporate welfare program, is left unaddressed, it could undermine any progress made this session, critics warn.
In Battle Between Big Oil and Big Corn, Ted Cruz Finally Called Out Trump
Cruz has studiously avoided confronting Trump. But when it came to helping oil refiners get a bigger share of the EPA's deregulatory spoils, the senator was more than willing to play hostage politics.
The Texas GOP’s War of Municipal Aggression
With their approval of a bill to “protect” Confederate monuments from liberal city halls, Senate Republicans exposed the raw racial dynamics of the party’s preemption crusade.