The Texan Podcast - Daily Rundown - February 24, 2026

Starting point is 00:00:04 Howdy folks, today is Tuesday, February 24th, and you're listening to The Texans Daily Rundown. I'm the Texans managing editor Rob Laus, and here is the rundown of today's news in Texas politics. First up, Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick is asking that Camp Mystic, where 28 lives were taken during the July 4th flooding last year, not be granted a license for operation until further investigation and corrective action is taken. Patrick wrote to Texas Department of State Health Services Commissioner Dr. Jennifer Schuford on Monday, expressing concern that the Kerrville-based camp had not yet properly acknowledged the over two dozen deaths which occurred there on Independence Day weekend 2025. Patrick noted that both chambers of the Texas legislature had established a general investigating committee on the July 2025 flooding events, which are scheduled to meet collaboratively this spring. There were 25 Camp Mystic campers and two counselors confirmed to have lost their lives during the flooding that swept through much of the hill country, including one of the executive directors of the camp, Dick Eastland.

Starting point is 00:01:14 One camper is yet to be found. The families of five children and two camp counselors filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Camp Mystic in November 2025, alleging that, quote, these young girls died because a for-profit camp put profit over safety, end quote. the campers were between the ages of eight and ten years old. Next, the race for Texas 21st congressional district kicked off when incumbent congressman Chip Roy stepped into the race for state attorney general, prompting 15 competitors to jump into the contest over the district. After the 2025 redistricting, CD21 comprises Fredericksburg, the northern parts of San Antonio, New Bronfels, Curville, and parts of San Marcos. The district trends Republican at a rating of R-62% according to the Texans Texas Partisan Index, slightly lower than its pre- redistricting score of R-64%. Candidates in the running include Republicans Mark Toshera,

Starting point is 00:02:14 Paul Rojas, Trey Trayner, Mike Wheeler, Daniel Betts, and Zeke Enriquez. Democratic candidates include Kristen Hook, Regina Vanberg, and Gary Taylor. Early voting ends on Friday, February 27th. The primary election day is Tuesday, March 3rd. In other news, representation of West Texas' congressional district 19 is up for grabs between the candidates contesting for outgoing Congressman Jody Errington's seat in the 26 primary. The district remains heavily Republican at R78% according to the Texans' Texas Partisan Index, a rating which did not change after the 2025 redistricting. CD19 has marginally increased in its gravitation toward the GOP over time, with its rating from the 2020-2020 election cycle, showing an R-76% partisan leaning.

Starting point is 00:03:07 The district encompasses Lubbock, Abilene, and Odessa, and is home to dozens of counties in the upper Midwestern part of the state. Republican candidates seeking election to the open seat are James Bob Barbie, Jason Corley, Abraham Enriquez, Donald R. May, Tom Sell, Matt Smith, and Ryan Zink. The lone Democratic candidate is Kyle Rable. Last but not least, former state representative Frederick Frazier is again challenging current state representative Carissa Richardson in the Republican primary to represent a portion of Collin County in House District 61. Richardson, a businesswoman and GOP activist, defeated Frazier in a primary runoff in May 2024. One of the key issues in the

Starting point is 00:03:50 campaign was Frazier's vote in favor of impeaching Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in 23. Frazier also faced legal issues after being indicted and taking a plea deal for misdemeanor charges of impersonating a public servant during the primary campaign in 2022 against his opponent Paul Chabot. Frazier sued Chabot for defamation in June 2024, centering on Shabot's website, firefrazier.com, where Frazier claims Chabot posted false claims to mobilize voters against him. the case is still ongoing with a petition for review filed by Chabot at the Texas Supreme Court. Richardson is endorsed by President Donald Trump, Governor Greg Abbott, Attorney General Ken Paxton, U.S. Senator Ted Cruz, and other elected officials.

Starting point is 00:04:37 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.

The Texan Podcast - Daily Rundown - February 24, 2026

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