The Texan Podcast - Daily Rundown - August 21, 2025

Episode Date: August 21, 2025

Want to support The Texan and help us continue providing the Lone Star State with news you can trust? Subscribe today: https://thetexan.news/subscribe/The Texan’s Daily Rundown brings you a quick recap of the latest stories in Texas politics so you can stay informed with news you can trust.Want more resources? Be sure to visit The Texan and subscribe for complete access to our in-depth articles, subscriber-exclusive newsletters, videos, podcasts, and more.Enjoy what you hear? Be sure to subscribe and leave a review!

Howdy, folks. Today is Thursday, August 21st, and you're listening to The Texans Daily Rundown. I'm the Texans assistant editor Rob Laus, and here is the rundown of today's news in Texas politics. First up, conservative firebrand and U.S. House Freedom Caucus member, Congressman Chip Roy, will run for Texas Attorney General. the four-term legislator told the Texan. Roy's 21st congressional district stretches from Austin to San Antonio and west of Kerrville. During the devastating hill country flooding last month that killed over 130 people, Roy, who represents the area, was on the ground in the community more than most other state officials responding to the disaster. He joins a field that includes state senators Mays Middleton and Joan Huffman, as well as former Department of Justice appointee, Aaron Wrights. Polling released by Texas Southern University on Thursday morning,

which did not include Roy, put Huffman at 12 points, Middleton at 8, and writes at 7, with nearly three quarters of respondents undecided. Asked what sets him apart from other conservative candidates, Roy told the Texan, quote, my overwhelmingly proven conservative record, courtroom experience, and full understanding of office, a record of delivering, end quote. Next, State Representative Stan Lambert is closing the chapter on his time in the Texas House after serving House District 71 since 2017. Lambert announced his retirement via a press release on Thursday morning, confirming that he would not be seeking re-election but would finish out his current term and then hang up his hat.

Lambert's district encompasses the counties of Taylor, Nolan, Jones, and Callahan. H.D. 71 is majority Republican, rated R-80 percent. by the Texans' Texas Partisan Index. Among his most notable moves made during the past nine years in the lower chamber, Lambert voted alongside 23 other Republicans for an amendment that removed the proposed school choice program from an education omnibus bill, for which he was formally recognized by Abilene Independent School District, which granted him the Public Education Champion Award in 23. He was targeted by Governor Greg Abbott during the 24 Republican primaries for that vote as part of the governor's campaign to fill the House with pro-school choice members who would get education

savings account legislation to his desk. In other news, former Texas House Speaker Dade Feeleyn will retire in 26 after five terms representing House District 21 and a tumultuous four years at the speakers Dias. Phelan posted on X a video of famed American actor and martial artist Chuck Norris reading his retirement announcement on Thursday afternoon. The post's caption reads, quote, this video from Chuck Norris about my retirement in 2026 is my last Texas house political ad, paid for by Texans for Dade. May God bless the house and may God bless the great state of Texas. Norris said in the cameo video, quote, good luck in the next chapter of your life in 2026. All the people that walked this journey with you are just as grateful

for you as you are for them. Feeleyn was first elected to represent his Southeast Texas District in 2014 and was later voted in as the 78th Speaker of the Texas House in 2021. In December 24, Phelan announced that he'd be bowing out of the speakership race days before the Texas House Republican caucus vote, following a tumultuous regular session and four. specials of budding heads with Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, a failed multi-session effort to pass school choice, and the impeachment and acquittal of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton. Last but not least, although the city of Kima continues to defy the Texas Office of the Attorney General, several residents, and a state lawmaker over disclosure of documents related to an

investigation into former police chief Holland Jones, on Monday a Travis County judge will hold a hearing on the city's lawsuit against Attorney General Ken Paxton over the matter. The case stems from complaints filed against Jones by at least 14 former and current Kema police officers in April 2022. After the Kema City Council voted to hire attorney William Bill Helfin to investigate Jones, Kema resident Sheila Thorne filed a request under the Texas Public Information Act, but the city appealed to the OAG. The OAG is seeking a summary judgment in the case, but should the court agree, the city of Kima could file an appeal at taxpayer expense, although the case has been pending for more than three years. Thanks for listening. To support

the Texan, please be sure to visit the texan.news and subscribe to get full access to all of our articles, newsletters, and podcasts.