The Texan Podcast - Daily Rundown - October 23, 2026

Episode Date: October 23, 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, October 23rd, 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, candidates in Texas slate of congressional contests have submitted their October quarterly finance reports, shedding light on where the races stand and where they're headed as early voting continues and the general election approaches in less than two weeks. Among the most watched of these races are a handful in South Texas, particularly as Republicans work to replicate the strong Latino vote President Donald Trump received during the 2024 cycle, and as the districts, which were redrawn last summer to favor the GOP, do not all appear,

guaranteed wins. While none of these U.S. House races in Texas can hold a candle to the money being poured into the state's U.S. Senate contests between Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and State Representative James Talarico, these races could very well determine. which party holds a majority in Congress, redefining the next two years under Trump's presidency. Next, Fort Bend County tax assessor collector Carmen Turner and two co-conspirators were arrested Thursday on charges, including conspiracy to commit fraud, theft of government funds and benefits, and wire fraud related to a scheme that included fraudulent positions in her office at taxpayer's expense. Aaron Wrights, U.S. attorney for the Southern District of Texas, said during a press conference in Houston on Thursday,

day, quote, if you did not already hate tax collectors enough already, we're going to give you a few more reasons to do so today. According to the federal indictments, Turner hired Shamarralin Regina Fields as a deputy tax clerk, but then allegedly tasked Fields with providing full-time care for Turner's elderly mother. Turner also hired Victor Ewing, the father of her adult child as a department coordinator, a position Wright said was fake. In other news, a teenager was arrested in North Texas for his alleged plan to assassinate U.S. Representative Keith Self, a vocal anti-S. Sharia law politician, as well as to carry out a terrorist attack related to ISIS. The suspect is 17 years old, per reporting first by WFAA News, and is in federal custody after

having purchased a firearm. He was arrested on October 5th. Self-suggested in a social media post responding to the news that his work in preserving the nation's, quote, constitutional republic from radical Islam, end quote, quote, was the motivation for the attack, saying that doing so, quote, means accepting the costs that come with it, name-calling, threats, and worse. Self has led the Republican charge at the federal level against Islam and Sharia law, founding the Sharia Free America Caucus alongside U.S. Representative Chip Roy. He has also engaged on the issue in other ways, such as speaking at a McKinney City Council meeting in August to oppose a proposed mosque there. Also, Harris County Treasurer Carla

Wyatt, who has been arrested multiple times since taking office, is now accused of not carrying insurance at the time of a four-vehicle accident she allegedly caused last month. A local woman said during a press conference on Thursday with another crash victim and the Republican candidate for Harris County Treasurer, Mark Cowart, quote, this lady, our Harris County Treasurer, just out of nowhere, came along and interrupted my life. The woman said she has incurred at least $6,000 in out-of-pocket medical expenses, since Wyatt did not have a valid insurance policy. After the impact to her vehicle on September 18th, the woman said she checked to see if Wyatt was okay, but alleged that Wyatt said, quote, you need to move. I'm running late for a meeting. But the driver

said her dash cam video, viewed by police, showed her vehicle was moving. Last but not least, the Court of Criminal Appeals is the Court of Last Resort for Criminal Cases in Texas. In the last few years, the CCA's docket has included high-profile death row appeals, gubernatorial pardons, state litigation pertaining to border security, and an election integrity-related case that led to a new state law. The nine-member court consists of eight judges and a presiding judge. Like other appellate judges in the Texas judicial system, CCA judges serve six-year terms. Unlike the elections for the Supreme Court of Texas and the 15th Court of Appeals, which have no open seats this year, the CCA, election includes two open seats. Thanks for listening. To support the Texan, please be sure to

visit the Texan.News to get full access to all of our articles, newsletters, and podcasts.