Is Trump is making Democrats more competitive in South Texas?

Is Trump is making Democrats more competitive in South Texas?

On this episode of Texas Take, host Jeremy Wallace looks at how President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown is affecting Texas politics, Latino voters and families held at the Dilley detention facility. Houston Chronicle immigration reporter Julián Aguilar explains the cases of detained children and families, while Democratic strategist Laura Barberena breaks down how backlash over the crackdown could reshape South Texas congressional races. Plus, they’ll get into why Texas music star Kacey Musgraves is helping shine a bigger spotlight on it all with her new tour. Finally, after seeing Post Malone in a Texas-themed anti-litter ad, Wallace counts down the five best "Don’t Mess with Texas" ads in history. Sure, Willie Nelson is guaranteed to make the cut, but will George Strait, Matthew McConaughey, Warren Moon and Earl Campbell? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

James Talarico's Bid To Win Black Voters

After a contentious Democratic primary, James Talarico is making a big push to win over Black voters, many of whom had backed his opponent, Jasmine Crockett. In an exclusive interview with Texas Take host Jeremy Wallace [https://www.houstonchronicle.com/politics/texas-take/article/james-talarico-senate-black-voters-22218791.php]at Prairie View A&M University, Talarico explains what he’s doing to win them over and talks about his relationship with Crockett. “There is no way to win Texas without Black voters,” Talarico says. In Dallas and Houston, Talarico lost 9 out of every 10 Black voters to Crockett. Can he win them back? Dallas Morning News Political Writer Gromer Jeffers Jr. [https://www.dallasnews.com/news/politics/article/talarico-hopes-bolster-black-support-defeating-22210609.php] joins the show to outline what Talarico has been doing and how much work he still has to do. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Sex, Guns and Politics

The mounting pressure finally caught up with now-former U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales. After other members of Congress moved to expel him for his affair with a staffer, the San Antonio Republican formally resigned, leaving people from San Antonio to El Paso with no representative in the House for the foreseeable future. San Antonio Express-News political reporter Bayliss Wagner joins host Jeremy Wallace to outline why Gonzales finally relented and what happens next to replace him. Plus, the NRA’s Justin Davis joins the program to explain how they are trying to win back members and why they opposed increased background checks on 18-year-olds after the Uvalde school shooting. Also, while Democrat James Talarico socks away huge money for his November Senate bid, the Republicans in the race continue to fight among themselves and burn GOP donor cash. Finally, U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, who has never been shy about his ambition to run for president again, is starting to show up outside of Texas in places like California and Iowa. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

The Incredible Shrinking NRA?

Scandal and declining membership have beset the National Rifle Association in recent years, but the group is still expecting 70,000 gun owners to descend on Houston starting Thursday for its annual convention. Justin Davis, Director of Public Affairs for the NRA, sat down with Texas Take Podcast host Jeremy Wallace to discuss how the organization is trying to win back members and what it's done to better watch how money is spent. For just the second time since 2015, President Donald Trump will be a no-show at the event. Davis also defends the NRA’s opposition to red flag laws and the gun safety measures passed in Congress after the Uvalde school shooting in 2022. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Challenging THC Regulations in Texas

The THC industry is fighting back against new Texas regulations that threaten to put many of them out of business. Houston Chronicle reporter Isaac Yu joins host Jeremy Wallace to explain key parts of the new regulations, the industry's recent lawsuit and what will happen next. Also, they break down the latest way that Christian nationalism may be seeping into public schools. Later, the Austin American-Statesman’s John Mortiz joins the program to talk about how Texas Democrats are still paying for their attempts to stop the congressional redistricting plan and why U.S. Rep. Dan Crenshaw is calling out U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz. Finally, Republican National Committee chair Joe Gruters stops in to acknowledge the tough midterm elections ahead, but insists the party has a plan to defy recent electoral history. Why? "We have no other option. We have to win," he says. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]