The Texan Podcast - Daily Rundown - October 9, 2026

Episode Date: October 9, 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 9th, 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, State Representative Eddie Morales Jr., who is running for re-election in Texas House District 74 against Republican challenger Robert Garza, joined the Texans reporter Meredith Dyer to discuss the leading issues. Morales discussed how immigration politics. shaped the 2024 election and what Democrats can do going forward, how to handle the state's influx of data centers, property tax reform in the 90th legislative session, and more. Visit the texan. news or wherever you get podcasts to listen now.

In other news, President Donald Trump held a rally in San Antonio on Wednesday, October 7th, where he touted the GOP's accomplishments and its midterm candidates. The event, held at the Freeman Coliseum, came less than a month before election day, and just 12 days before early voting begins on October 19th. Before the president's arrival, several activists and Republican elected officials gave brief speeches. These notably included Brandon Herrera and Carlos de la Cruz, the GOP nominees for Congressional Districts 23 and 35, respectively, both of which are somewhat competitive districts that include parts of San Antonio. CD-23 is currently vacant after the resignation of U.S. Representative Tony Gonzalez earlier this year. CD-35 was dramatically changed in last year's redistricting to be more friendly to Republicans with its current representative, Congressman Greg Kasar, instead opting to run in the CD-37 of retiring Congressman Lloyd Doggett. The candidates praised Trump's job performance as president and urged voters to support Republicans in the upcoming 2026 midterm elections.

Herrera, for example, said that if Democrats took the majority, voters should expect, quote, no progress and a bunch of sham impeachment hearings. Several statewide candidates were present as well. These included state Senator Mays Middleton, the Republican nominee for Texas Attorney General, Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, and U.S. Senate candidate Attorney General Ken Paxton. Despite about a dozen interruptions by protesters, who often scuffled with rallygoers as they were escorted out, Trump defended his policies from the economy to the Iran War to immigration. Last but not least, a slew of Texans trek to Austin on Wednesday to demand that a state commission tasked with

investigating alleged judicial misconduct, do more to police judges, curb judicial conflicts of interest, and promote transparency in both courtrooms and the commission's own proceedings. The Texas State Commission on judicial conduct usually meets behind closed doors to consider formal complaints against judicial officers and issue sanctions, but it must hold a public meeting every other year wherein any member of the public may air their grievances. Approximately 50 people testified before the 13-member commission on Wednesday, and many erred complaints about specific judges and allegations that parents had been treated unfairly in child custody cases. Witnesses also described judges who took campaign contributions from lawyers

representing clients, a judge's spouse listed as the opposing party's financial expert, charges of more than $20,000 for court transcripts, and waiting months for a judge to issue a ruling following a hearing. Texas resident Robert Garza told the commission that many of the system's problems stemmed from judges violating their discretion and suggested that state lawmakers had deadlines and standardized fees. One of Garza's proposed solutions is to require judges to issue a ruling within 10 business days of a hearing. He told the Texan that his proposed bill would not eliminate judicial discretion, since it would allow a judge to delay an order if he or she provides a reason for the extra time needed every 10 business days. Other solutions Garza suggests

include automatically referring a case to the State Commission on Judicial Conduct when an appellate court, or the Texas Supreme Court, finds that a lower court judge abuse their discretion. 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.