The Texan Podcast - Daily Rundown - March 3, 2026

Starting point is 00:00:04 Howdy folks, today is Tuesday, March 3rd, Primary Election Day, 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, the time has come for Texans to decide the respective Republican and Democratic nominees for the 26th U.S. Senate race. As five high-profile candidates on both sides of the aisle attempt to weed out the others in their respective primary elections. The race for U.S. Senator John Cornyn's seat has been a bruising one, with three Republican candidates, the incumbent Corny, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, and Congressman Wesley Hunt, lobbying attacks at one another over their conservative records or alleged lack thereof. The top Democratic candidates are Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett and State Representative James

Starting point is 00:00:57 Talarico. On February 16th, President Donald Trump told reporters that he likes all three of the Republican candidates and that he had not yet decided who to endorse. He noted that Cornyn, Paxton, and Hunt have all supported him and said that the race has a ways to go, perhaps indicating a runoff endorsement. A runoff election would take place on May 26th if no candidate receives a majority of the vote on Tuesday night. The polls closed tonight, Tuesday, March 3rd at 7 p.m. Visit the Texan. News for a directory of election resources for each of Texas 254 counties. Next, the fatal mass shooting in Austin this past weekend, in which three victims were killed as well as the suspect, sparked public outcry and a congressional letter from Texas House Republicans. The shooter is said to have opened fire outside Buford's backyard beer garden along 6th Street in downtown Austin on Saturday night, a location lined with bars and clubs and known for its active nightlife.

Starting point is 00:01:57 The deceased suspect, a naturalized U.S. citizen born in Senegal, was found to be wearing a property of Allah sweatshirt, and authorities reported findings of an Iranian flag and photos of Iranian leaders in his apartment. The attack comes after recent developments in the ongoing military conflict between the U.S., Israel, and Iran. 71 state lawmakers responded to the shooting in Austin by urging Congress to honor four proposed immediate actions, including the restoration of full funding of the Department of Homeland Security, an immediate freeze on all H-1B visa issuances, a pause on all immigration to the U.S. until agreed upon vetting protocols are in place, and the redirection of resources, quote, toward identifying threats already within our borders. In other news, five Republicans are running for Texas Railroad Commissioner in the March 3rd primary,

Starting point is 00:02:52 including an incumbent who previously won by a large margin, a former Democrat, now running as a Republican and a Terrant County political lightning rod. Established in 1891, the Railroad Commission of Texas is the state's oldest regulatory agency. It was originally mandated to prevent discrimination in railroad charges and established tariffs, but no longer has any jurisdiction over railroads, since that authority was transferred to the Texas Department of Transportation in 2005. The agency's primary responsibility is now to regulate the energy industry. It also has regulatory and enforcement responsibilities under federal law. Railroad commissioners are elected statewide to six-year staggered terms.

Starting point is 00:03:35 There are three commissioners, Wayne Christian, Christy Craddock, who is running for comptroller in the Republican primary this year, and Chairman Jim Wright. Wright is running for re-election in the Republican primary. He secured a 10-point victory in 2020 over then-incumbent Commissioner Ryan Sitten in a shocking upset, defeating Sitten by more than 220,000 votes. Last but not least, a man has been charged with intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly administering the abortion pill Mifah Pristone to the mother of his unborn child, thus leading to the child's death in utero. According to a complaint filed by an assistant district attorney in Montgomery County, John Rubin Gabriel Demeter, age 25, allegedly

Starting point is 00:04:17 gave the abortion-inducing chemical to the woman without her knowledge or consent. leading her to have a miscarriage. He has been charged with aggravated assault. The baby, Presley May, was still born at the hospital, according to reporting by Texas Right to Life. Texas Right to Life President John Sego praised the county's action, saying the county had the, quote,

Starting point is 00:04:38 courage to do what few government officials do. 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 - March 3, 2026

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