The Texan Podcast - Daily Rundown - May 29, 2026

Episode Date: May 29, 2026

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? Visit The Texan for complete access to our in-depth articles, newsletters, videos, podcasts, and more.Enjoy what you hear? Be sure to follow us and leave a review!

Well, howdy folks. Today is Friday, May 29th, and you're listening to the Texans Daily Rundown. I'm the Texan Senior Editor Rob Lauchess, and here is the rundown of today's news in Texas politics. First up, here's a look at a race you might have missed from Texas' Tuesday night primary runoff election. Former Houston City Council member Letitia Plummer and former Harris County treasurer Orlando Sanchez will face off this November, in a race to replace Harris County Judge Lena Hidalgo. after the two won their respective party primary runoff elections on Tuesday. And an upset win on the Democratic side, Plummer defeated former Houston Mayor Anise Parker with 51% of the vote, leading her opponent by about 2,500 votes cast out of 113,000, according to unofficial election results. In the three-way March 3rd Democratic primary, Parker emerged with 47% of the vote,

just three points shy of the 50% needed to avoid a runoff, while Plummer, trailed with 37%. But the county judge runoff's overlap with the Democratic primary for Houston's Texas Congressional District 18 brought more of Plummer's voters to the polls. Of the top 30 precincts in CD-18, Plummer won 28 of them with an average of 63%. Republicans overwhelmingly chose Sanchez, who won with 65% of the vote over businessman Warren Howell. Next, the Texas Education Agency declined Austin Independent School District's application for Senate Bill 1882 partnerships for Burnett, Dobie, and Webb Middle Schools, which could have consequences for the campuses after four consecutive failing TEA accountability ratings. A fifth failing score can trigger a state takeover of the

district. 1882 partnerships provide incentives for districts to partner with an open enrollment charter school or institutions of higher education, non-profits, or government entities approved by the TEA. Created by SB 1882 during the 85th legislative session in 2017, these partnerships provide potential increases in state funding and exemptions from certain accountability measures for two years. The TEA cannot require that the campus submit a turnaround plan, appoint a board of managers, or close the campus during those two years. Austin ISD Superintendent Mattias Seguera said in a statement, quote, while this response is disappointing, I want to assure you that this is not the

end of the process. TEA has explicitly invited Austin ISD to submit additional information to support and reinforce our application, and we fully intend to do so. Last but not least, Texas fertilizer prices have been on the rise, despite efforts by the U.S. government to mitigate price escalation. A recent report from Agricultural Organization, the American Farm Bureau, states that 70% of farmers in the South reported they would not be able to purchase the fertilizer they need this year. The close, The closure of the Strait of Hormuz in the Middle East amid the war with Iran has impacted the global fertilizer supply chain, leading to both climbing prices and global supply issues, specifically regarding nitrogen-based fertilizers. The Persian Gulf produces approximately 46% of global urea, which is the key ingredient in nitrogen fertilizer.

Nitrogen-based fertilizers are vital to Texas spring planting. Written testimony by Corey Rosenbush, president of the Fertilizer Institute in Arlington, Virginia was presented during a U.S. Senate committee hearing on agriculture earlier this month, stating the impact of the Iran War on U.S. fertilizer supply. Rosenbush stated that closure of the Strait of Hormuz has impacted an estimated 20% of the world's liquefied natural gas supply, which acts as a, quote, critical fuel and feedstock for nitrogen fertilizer production. He said the effects have been felt globally as other fertilizer producing nations, such as India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh have been forced to curtail or close production.

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