The Texan Podcast - Daily Rundown - October 27, 2025

Starting point is 00:00:00 Howdy folks, today is Monday, October 27th, and you're listening to The Texans Daily Rundown. I'm the Texans Assistant Editor Rob Lauchess, and here is the rundown of today's news in Texas politics. First up, State Senator Sarah Eckhart officially launched her long-expected bid for Congress on Monday for a district that is highly favorable to Republicans, formerly announcing in Austin on Monday, Eckhart filed to run for Congressional District 10, which stretches from Travis County out to the eastern part of the state past the city of Crockett. It also includes Brian College Station. Following the mid-decade congressional redistricting this summer, CD-10 is rated R-62% by the Texans' Texas Partisan Index, making it a steep uphill battle for Eckhart to win the seat

Starting point is 00:00:53 as a Democrat. Incumbent Congressman Michael McCall announced last month that he wouldn't seek another term next year, leaving the seat open. Eckhart previously served as Travis County judge before running for and winning Senate District 14 in a 2020 special election. Next, State Representative Nate Schatzline will not seek re-election to the Texas House after an invitation to join the National Faith Advisory Board, serving under President Donald Trump's Senior White House Faith Office Advisor Pastor Paula White. Shatzline said in an ex-post announcing his eventual departure from the Texas House after he concludes his current term, quote,

Starting point is 00:01:34 It has never been more clear that the battle for our nation is not political, it is spiritual. The National Faith Advisory Board touts a membership of over 32,000 faith leaders across the nation. Shatsline is a pastor at Mercy Culture Church in For Worth. He is in his second term representing Texas House District 93, a position he won in 2022 after former State Representative Matt Krause, who held the seat for a decade, departed to run for Tarrant County District Attorney. In other news, State Representative Jeff Leach sent a letter to Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton on October 23rd, requesting his office, quote, undertake an outside and independent investigation into the shocking reports out of Salina ISD

Starting point is 00:02:20 in Collin County. Leach questioned whether Selina ISD administrators or staff had prior knowledge of Moore Middle School teacher and coach Caleb Elliott recording male students in locker rooms. He cited reports that at least a dozen images were found on Elliot's phone, after which Elliot resigned and surrendered his teaching certificate. The letter also noted that three families may file civil lawsuits against Elliot. Selina ISD has launched an internal review, and Leach emphasized that he did not intend to make unfounded accusations regarding district leadership. He acknowledged that local law enforcement is investigating the criminal case against Elliot, while affected families are pursuing civil action.

Starting point is 00:03:03 Also, as the second week of early voting for the November 4th election begins, the Rockwall Independent School District Voter Approval Tax Rate Election, or Vader, continues to draw interest from district residents. On Friday, the Vote Yes for Rockwall ISD Political Action Committee put out a press release claiming that Rockwall ISD will, quote, not pay any recapture, now or under the Vader scenario. Recapture is a designation by the state for excessive local revenue that is shared from property wealthy school districts to property poor ones. Officials from the Texas Education Agency walked through the Vader scenario, using Rockwall ISD estimates, with the Texan, indicating that according to their calculations, the district will be subject to recapture should the Vader pass.

Starting point is 00:03:53 visit the Texan. News for reporter Kim Roberts' full write-up. Last but not least, another domino fell in the East Texas brawl over water supply and permits intended to explore groundwater extraction and shipment to the growing Dallas-Fort Worth population after a district judge granted and agreed to permanent injunction against the permits. The Natchez and Trinity Valley's groundwater conservation district, which covers Anderson, Cherokee and Henderson counties, gave preliminary approval to permits applied for by two entities owned by investor Kyle Bass back in the spring. This sparked a chain of discordant events, including a contentious July hearing of the Texas House Natural Resources Committee,

Starting point is 00:04:37 chaired by State Representative Cody Harris, who represents part of the Conservation District area. The purpose, as Bass has stated at numerous public hearings, is to partially fill the state's water supply gap with some groundwater extraction. Texas projects a 3 billion acre feet per year deficit between demand and existing supply by the end of the decade. But those opposed, like Harris, worry that Bass's projects would only be the beginning and want to stop any such rush on water extraction before it starts. 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.

Starting point is 00:05:16 letters and podcasts.

The Texan Podcast - Daily Rundown - October 27, 2025

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