HOUSTON – Confession: Few things in this world are as fascinating and fun as the literal and figurative swamp of Harris County politics. The creatures lurking here in the murky bayou waters are powerful and petty, colorful and crazy. And they’ll get you if you’re not careful. That’s why it was especially striking that as […]
As hardliners push Texas House GOP to flex muscle in selecting speaker, Abbott works to reduce their numbers
by Scott on November 19, 2017 in Houston, Politics, Tea Party
On restrooms, Patrick sides with Texas House foe Steve Hotze over business
by Scott on February 2, 2017 in Dan Patrick, Economy, Houston, Politics, Texas
Note: This story originally appeared in The Quorum Report. Join us there for daily coverage of Texas politics and government. Texas House Speaker Joe Straus has suggested Gov. Greg Abbott should articulate a clear position on one of Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick’s top priorities for the legislative session: Restrictions on bathroom access based on gender. […]
Houston’s leadership on workforce can be a model for the nation
by Scott on June 22, 2016 in Economy, Houston, Workforce
Business leaders in Houston seem well-positioned to set the tone for how the rest of the nation addresses workforce challenges, experts agree. During a town hall-style event hosted by the Greater Houston Partnership, health care leaders, construction executives and others discussed ways the private sector is taking the lead to ensure that a quality workforce […]
Activists rail against gays and Texas House leadership as Woodfill announces for RPT Chair
by Scott on February 1, 2016 in Abortion, Dan Patrick, God, Houston, Joe Straus, Politics, Religion, Tea Party, Texas
HOUSTON – A day after once again stepping onto the national political stage by inserting himself into the Planned Parenthood video fight, former Harris County GOP Chairman Jared Woodfill last week formally announced he is running to lead the Republican Party of Texas. He is running alongside Texas Eagle Forum President Cathie Adams, who has […]
Defeat of HERO signals a campaign cycle of social conservatism ahead for Texas GOP
by Scott on November 6, 2015 in Dan Patrick, Houston, Politics, Tea Party, Texas
The defeat of the Houston Equal Rights Ordinance Tuesday night came as a surprise only to those who had paid exactly zero attention to the politics on the ground – and for most of the campaign, the clueless seemed to include much of city leadership. Prior to and after the vote, many HERO supporters had […]
Special Election for Texas Senate Seat Turns Nasty
by Scott on December 5, 2014 in Border Security, Houston, Politics, Rick Perry, Tea Party, Texas
BRENHAM – The mad dash to succeed Comptroller-Elect Glenn Hegar in the Texas Senate has turned quite negative in the final days leading up to this Saturday’s special election. The perceived frontrunner, Rep. Lois Kolkhorst, R-Brenham, has sought to create a sense of inevitability through high-profile endorsements and has focused her message on border security. […]
Houston Up For Grabs in the Race for Governor?
by Scott on November 3, 2014 in Dan Patrick, Houston, Politics, Tea Party, Texas
Note: This story originally appeared on The Quorum Report. Join us there daily for coverage of Texas politics and government. As I’ve said from time to time: If Texas is a battleground, Harris County is ground zero. Perhaps never before has that seemed so true. Conservative activists, including the local GOP’s new and old leadership, […]
Texas Voters to Decide on Taking a Step Forward for Road Construction
by Scott on October 5, 2014 in Dallas, Economy, Houston, Politics, Rick Perry, Tea Party, Texas
Note: This story originally appeared on Construction Citizen. Texas is an economic engine unlike any other, but there are things that could put the brakes on our dynamic growth. Congested highways and the unreasonably long commutes that go along with them have the potential to slow commerce in a way that promises to be detrimental […]
Meet the Candidates to Lead the Republican Party of Texas
by Scott on September 19, 2014 in Dallas, Houston, Politics, Tea Party
Note: This story originally appeared on The Quorum Report. Join us there daily for coverage of Texas politics and government. In a development that’s been brewing for months and was first reported Monday night by Quorum Report, three political leaders from around the state have now announced they’re running to succeed Republican Party of Texas […]
In high-level talks, Texas business leaders press the White House to act on immigration
by Scott on August 3, 2014 in Houston, Immigration, Obama, Politics, Tea Party, Texas
Note: This story originally appeared on The Quorum Report. Join us there daily for coverage of Texas politics and government. Amid the chaos on Capitol Hill and the crisis on the border, Texas construction executives pushing for immigration reform traveled to Washington and met late Friday with senior advisers to President Obama. Houston construction executives […]
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Scott Braddock is a journalist and political analyst based in Austin.
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