The Texan Podcast - Daily Rundown - March 6, 2026

Episode Date: March 6, 2026

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Howdy folks, today is Friday, March 6th, 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, embattled U.S. Representative Tony Gonzalez announced his decision not to seek re-election to his seat in Congress in a post on social media late Thursday night, adding that the decision came after, quote, deep reflection and with the support of my loving family. Gonzalez was also facing growing pressure on a national scale, with congressional leadership calling for him to drop out hours earlier. He had been facing action by the U.S. House Committee on Ethics over his now-confessed sexual relationship with his former regional director, Regina Santos-Avelas, who later committed suicide by self-immolation, a relationship which violated House rules prohibiting members from having sexual relationships with their subordinate staff. With Gonzalez's withdrawing from the race, his challenger Brandon Herrera will now win the GOP nomination by default and will face Democratic nominee Katie Padilla Stout in November.

Next, District Judge Amber Givens defeated Dallas County District Attorney John Cruzzo in the Democratic primary to be the next lead prosecutor in the county. According to Dallas County elections unofficial results, Givens defeated Cruzzo by about 19,000 votes, garnering 54% of the vote. cast to Cruzzo's 46%. Givens resigned her post as the judge and the 282nd Judicial District Court in Dallas County in December to run against Cruzo for the DA spot. She was first elected to the bench in 2014. No Republicans ran in the race, so Givens is the presumptive winner to take the position in January 2027. In other news, quote, what a night. I'm humbled, grateful, and honored the voters have placed their trust in me to be the Republican nominee for Senate District 22, State Representative David Cook said in a press release about his victory in the Republican primary.

Cook won the Republican primary handily with 67% of the votes cast. He had two opponents, John Gimble and Rina Schroeder. Cook is seeking to replace retiring state Senator Brian Birdwell, who announced in June 2025 that he would not run for re-election. Cook will face a Democratic opponent in the November general election in Amy Martinez Salas. Also, voters have selected the Republican nominees for Texas Senate districts 4 and 11, two strongly Republican leaning seats previously held by state senators Brandon Creighton and Mays Middleton. The SD4 Republican nominee is Brett Lygon, who won 75% of the vote to defeat U.S. Air Force veteran and businessman Charlie Miller, who received 25%. SD4 was vacated by Creighton when he became the Texas Tech University System Chancellor in September.

Ron Angeletti ran opposed in the Democratic primary and will face Lygon in November. State Representative Dennis Paul ran unopposed in the Republican primary for SD11. Paul has served in the Texas House since 2014 and announced his campaign in May with the support of Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick. SD11 was held by Middleton until he left to run for Texas Attorney General. In the Democratic primary, Shannon Dicely won the nomination with 75% of the vote against Cameron Rollwitz with 25%. Last but not least, former Texas Public Policy Foundation K-12 Education Director Jorge Borago secured the Republican nomination for Texas House District 11-18 for the November 3rd election. Borago won 53% of the vote, Desi Martinez received 27% and Joe Shelhart received 21%. H.D. 118 is rated R-51% according to the Texans Texas Partisan Index, making it a competitive district.

It was also the only House District that was rated as evenly divided in the 2020-2020 election cycle. H.D. 118 covers South, East, and Northeast Bayar County. Borago was one of three Republican candidates vying for the seat of State Representative John Lujan, who is running for Texas' 35th Congressional District. Thanks for listening. please be sure to visit the texan.news and subscribe to get full access to all of our articles, newsletters, and podcasts.