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November 9, 2026

Why Texas Republican voters broke with their party

By: David Brown

After a historic Election Day last week, more history is set to be made in the Texas House of Representatives: Senfronia Thompson says she has the votes to become the first woman and first Black Texas House speaker.

Texas Republicans’ loss of statewide power has prompted questions about fractures within a party that had dominated state politics for decades.

The Trump administration’s tariff-free beef imports haven’t lowered prices much.

And: UT international affairs expert Michael Mosser with where all this political change leaves U.S. foreign policy.