The Texan Podcast - Daily Rundown - February 17, 2026

Starting point is 00:00:04 Howdy folks, today is Tuesday, February 17th, and you're listening to The Texans Daily Rundown. I'm the Texans managing editor Rob Lauchess, and here is the rundown of today's news in Texas politics. First up, early voting in Texas' primary election has begun, kicking off the final stretch for several contentious inter-party races across the state, including a Texas U.S. Senate contest, congressional districts redrawn last year, and a slate of state house and state. Senate races, Texans will have the opportunity to cast their votes early, spanning from Tuesday, February 17th to Friday, February 27th. If a primary race results in no candidate receiving a majority of the vote, it'll proceed to a runoff between the top two challengers on May 26th.

Starting point is 00:00:53 Next, President Donald Trump has laid his stake in several Texas congressional races after issuing a rolling list of endorsements Monday night, ahead of the start of early voting for the 2020. primary. In one of his more unanticipated endorsements, Trump threw his support behind Republican candidate Alex Miller in her bid for Congressional District 9, against state representative Briscoe Kane, and seven other GOP primary candidates. Among the other endorsements announced by Trump via truth social posts on Monday night was for John Bonk in his bid for CD 38, left open by U.S. Representative Wesley Hunt's run for U.S. Senate. In other news, President Donald Trump has yet to decide on who to endorse in Texas Republican primary for U.S. Senate, saying he supports all three

Starting point is 00:01:41 leading candidates. The 26 Republican primary for one of Texas' U.S. Senate seats consists of incumbent U.S. Senator John Cornyn, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, and Congressman Wesley Hunt. It's been long speculated which candidate Trump would select as his favored, if any, as the president has both indicated that he may simply not endorse in the race or that he may do so soon. The candidates appear to be actively jockeying for his support, as seen in various campaign ads, highlighting their alignment with the president and his policies. While giggling with reporters aboard Air Force One on Monday, Trump told the press, quote, I just haven't made a decision on the race yet. He added that the race has a ways to go and that,

Starting point is 00:02:25 quote, I like all three of them actually. He also added, quote, They've all supported me. They're all good. Also, a congressional seat left open after Congressman Morgan Latrell announced he would not seek a third term has drawn six Republican and two Democratic contenders for the Houston area district. Congressional District 8 is rated R-66% by the Texans Texas Partisan Index. Fundraising and endorsements indicated that three of the six Republicans were likely to lead in the March 3rd primary election. Jessica Steinman, Brett Jensen, and Nick Tran. On Monday night, President Donald Trump announced his endorsement for Steinman. Jensen posted on social media that he would suspend his campaign, but that his name will remain

Starting point is 00:03:10 on the GOP primary election ballot. In addition, new polling from the University of Houston's Hobby School of Public Affairs shows former Houston Mayor Anise Parker leading in the Democratic primary for Harris County judge, while former Harris County Treasurer Orlando Sanchez leads in the GOP primary, though most Republicans are still undecided. According to the survey released Tuesday, Parker Leeds former Houston City Council member Letitia Plummer 46% to 25%, while Matt Salazar trails with 5% and 24% of respondents were unsure. In the Republican primary, Sanchez Leeds Houston Professional Firefighters Association

Starting point is 00:03:52 President Marty Langton 21% to 10%. Piny Point Mayor Eliza Dutt took 7% but a 1% whopping 54% of Republican respondents were unsure. Last but not least, Texas Democrats are all in for races across the state in hopes of achieving victories for their party in statewide elected positions for the first time since the early 1990s. Their Texas Together coordinated voter mobilization effort already is planning to spend at least $30 million to provide resources to candidates across the state as soon as the primary is over.

Starting point is 00:04:27 The four main groups behind Texas together are the Texas Democratic Party, Texas Majority Pack, Texas House Democratic Campaign Committee, and powered by people, Beto O'Rourke's organizing group. It is set to start with 75 staff members in place and 30,000 volunteers already engaged. 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. Thank you.

The Texan Podcast - Daily Rundown - February 17, 2026

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