Here’s a quick recap of what happened over the last week:
Republican Party to Consider Censures
The State Republican Executive Committee (SREC) announced this week it would consider resolutions submitted by county parties that seek to censure 10 Republican state House members at their meeting next month. The resolutions allege the members did not adhere to the “core principles of the Republican Party.” If approved, the official censures could set up a fight that could lead to the members that are censured being ineligible for the primary ballot in 2026. The SREC passed a rule this summer that authorizes local county party chairs to block the candidacy of any lawmaker running in the GOP primary.
The ten members that have been subject of the resolutions passed by local party officials includes current Texas House Speaker Dustin Burrows of Lubbock. The resolution passed by the Lubbock County Republican Party does not ask that Burrows be barred from running, rather it discourages him from seeking reelection and authorizes the local party to support another candidate. The other members involved include six current House committee chairs.
If the SREC members support the county resolutions, the House members could be automatically disqualified from appearing on the primary ballot or could allow the county chair to refuse to accept an application for their placement on the primary ballot.
State Republican Chair Abraham George sent a letter inviting all 10 members subject to censure to appear at the October 11th meeting of the SREC to defend themselves and to “engage in direct and constructive dialogue” with the SREC members.
US Senate Republican Primary Update
The Senate Leadership Fund (SLF) – backing incumbent US Senator John Cornyn – released a poll this week showing Cornyn basically tied with challenger Ken Paxton. The poll showed Cornyn the choice of 32% of likely Republican primary voters compared to 31% for Paxton. These numbers include a third choice – Congressman Wesley Hunt of Houston – who has yet to officially enter the race. Hunt was the choice of 17% of the respondents. In a straight up head-to-head matchup, the poll showed Cornyn and Paxton tied at 39%, with 21% undecided.
Even though Cornyn has seemingly closed the gap on Paxton, the numbers should be alarming to a four-term incumbent that cannot poll at 50% or better. And all the polls showing Cornyn with improving poll numbers have been conducted by organizations with the purpose of protecting incumbents in the US Senate.
In conjunction with the release of the poll, the SLF also released a memo that argued if Paxton were to win the Republican nomination, he would jeopardize the Republican majority on the US House. The memo highlights Paxton’s past legal issues – impeachment by the Texas House, securities fraud indictment, allegations of extra marital affairs – and claim his baggage would weaken the Republican ticket in Texas and endanger as many as seven Congressional seats in Texas that should be considered safe for Republican candidate.
Agencies Move on Hemp Regulation
In response to Gov. Abbott’s Executive Order calling for the regulation of hemp and THC products, the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) this week adopted an emergency rule banning TABC license holders — liquor stores, bars, convenience stores and restaurants — from selling hemp products containing THC to anyone under the age of 21, with mandatory age verification and enforcement starting October 1st. The agency is expected to transition these temporary rules into permanent regulations over the next several months, with a formal rulemaking process scheduled to launch in mid-November.
Meanwhile, the state Department of State Health Services (DSHS) is developing regulations for hemp retailers not covered by TABC, such as smoke shops, stand-alone vape retailers, gas stations, and online sellers. These regulations will address not only age limits but also stricter labeling, testing, record-keeping, and increased licensing fees, as mandated by the order. DSHS and TABC are collaborating with the Department of Public Safety and other agencies to improve enforcement, with some duties likely shifting between agencies as the new framework is established.
In addition to the agency actions, state Senator Charles Perry – author of the legislation from the session that sought to completely ban the sale of hemp and THC products — has recently pressed DSHS and the Department of Agriculture to close loopholes that are allowing for the sale of these products. In a letter to the DSHS Commissioner, Perry asked her to classify THCa as delta-9 (the most abundant and potent form of THC), which in effect would ban all smokeable forms of THC. THCa is found naturally in hemp and turns to delta-9 when heat is added. Perry is also asking the Texas Department of Agriculture to update their testing standards that will bring the state in line with federal standards regarding the regulation of hemp products. Both of these issues are an attempt to align Texas regulations with federal law. In
In his letters to both agencies, Perry stated his goal was to monitor all hemp products more closely and to stop businesses from exploiting current ambiguities in Texas law, especially regarding the difference between legal hemp and illegal marijuana. Perry went on to emphasize these requested changes are targeted and designed to find common ground between the Governor’s office and the legislature, particularly as DSHS and TDA face increased legislative scrutiny and an upcoming sunset review. Perry noted that debate will continue into future legislative sessions, challenging retailers to ensure their products comply with federal law.
New rules could also further restrict sales close to schools and churches, ban some forms of smokable hemp, and target synthetic cannabinoids like delta-8. The state is using recent failed legislation as a blueprint for this wider regulatory overhaul.
Legal Battle Over Ten Commandments
The newly passed law in Texas requiring all classrooms in Texas public schools to display the Ten Commandments is facing more legal challenges. A federal district judge in San Antonio has granted an injunction against the law in favor of 16 families that had filed suit to stop the law from taking effect. That injunction applied only to the school districts of the families named in the lawsuit. Now, an additional 15 families have filed suit seeking to include additional school districts in the injunction.
All plaintiffs are seeking judgement that the law is unconstitutional and asking the court to provide permanent injunctive relief that would prevent the school districts from having to comply with the law. The families in both lawsuits are from varying religious backgrounds, including Christianity, Judaism, and Hindu. Their lawsuits claim the requirement to display the Ten Commandments interferes with their religious freedom, and that the government should play no part in religion.
As both cases move through the trial and appeals process, their fate will be decided by the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals and could ultimately make it to the US Supreme Court.
Political Notes
State Rep. James Talarico of Austin raised $1 million in the first 12 hours after he announced his candidacy for the Democratic nomination for US Senate. Talarico is challenging former Congressman Colin Allred in the Democratic primary, who has also proven he can raise money. Allred raised over $100 million in 2024 during his challenge to Ted Cruz but ultimately lost by nearly 9 points to the Republican incumbent. Allred has refused to announce his fundraising numbers so far. All candidates in the race will have to announce their numbers for an October 15th report.
Democrat Caleb Milne of Temple has announced his challenge to first term Republican Hillary Hickland, also of Temple for the House District 55 in Bell County stretching west from Temple through Harker Heights and parts of Killeen. The district leans Republican and is not considered a realistic pickup for the Democrats.
Incumbent Republican state Rep. Mitch Little of Lewisville announced this week he would seek reelection to the state House. Little had been considering a run for the Republican nomination for state Attorney General. But decided against that, saying he will concentrate on his service in the House as well as his family and professional commitment to his law firm.
Former Department of Justice attorney Jessica Steinmann remains the only major candidate in the race for Congressional District 8 to succeed incumbent Morgan Luttrell, who is not seeking reelection in 2026. Steinmann can now tout two major endorsements. This week, her candidacy was endorsed by Lt. Governor Dan Patrick and US Senator Ted Cruz.
What’s Next??
The watch continues for the potential a third special session, but as time goes on, the likelihood of a fall special session wanes.
We will also continue to watch the retirements, filings, and other movements regarding the 2026 races for legislative, congressional, and statewide offices.