God, Guns, and the GOP: How Faith and Power Collide in Texas (A conversation with Robert Downen)

Paxton, Trump, and GOP Strategy To Keep Texas RED

In this episode of Seeing Red in Texas Politics, Garrett Fulce delves into the recent political dynamics in Texas, exploring the outcomes of the Senate race where Ken Paxton emerged as a notable figure against John Cornyn. Fulce provides a thorough analysis of Paxton's political journey, including the implications of his past controversies and how they might influence his credibility going forward. The discussion extends to analyze the factors that will shape the upcoming elections, focusing on voter behavior and strategic moves by the Republican Party. As Paxton navigates a landscape littered with past grievances, Fulce breaks down the electoral mechanisms at play, offering a roadmap for what the party needs to retain voter allegiance. Timestamp Summary 0:00 Ken Paxton's Political Journey and Republican Implications 1:57 Republican Strategies to Win Over Disenchanted Voters 5:39 Paxton and Talarico's Political Race Dynamics and Challenges 9:45 The Challenges of Campaigning in Competitive Texas Regions 11:46 Revamping Show Format for Enhanced Engagement and Quality Find us at seeingredpodcast.substack.com for full episodes. Follow us on all socials at @theseeingredpod [https://twitter.com/Theseeingredpod] and online at our website Seeing Red Podcast [https://seeingredpodcast.com/]. x.com/gwfulce

Bots, Ballots, and the #TxLEGE Grind: An Interview w/ Brad Johnson

Brad Johnson—co-founder and reporter at Texas Bullpen—joins Seeing Red to talk about the real mechanics of Texas politics: how information moves, how power consolidates, and why Twitter matters far more than most people want to admit. Brad walks through the launch of the Texas Bullpen, his path from Ohio to the Texas Capitol, and why he thinks Texas politics is entering a more “traditional” election cycle after years of chaos. We dig into the comptroller’s race, Abbott’s quiet hand in key primaries, and why Ken Paxton continues to survive scandals that would’ve ended other careers. The conversation also pulls back the curtain on the Paxton impeachment trial—what went wrong for prosecutors, how outside pressure shaped the outcome, and why bots and online noise now play a measurable role in legislative behavior. If you want to understand how Texas politics actually functions—not how it’s sold—this episode is required listening. Key Moments & Timestamps 0:00 – Why Texas lawmakers obsess over Twitter replies 0:47 – Launching the Texas Bullpen (and running on adrenaline) 2:31 – Leaving the Texan and betting on independent media 3:06 – “Punchbowl meets old Texas Monthly”: defining the Bullpen lane 9:44 – How redistricting reshaped Texas elections 12:25 – The comptroller’s race and Abbott’s personal stakes 16:42 – Don Huffines, name ID, and why competence suddenly matters 24:31 – Ken Paxton’s political durability—why nothing sticks 31:24 – From tracker to reporter: learning Texas politics the hard way 36:45 – Following Hillary Clinton and the life of a political tracker 40:33 – Twitter bots, fake engagement, and legislative pressure 49:00 – What really happened in the Paxton impeachment trial 54:20 – The Speaker’s race and calendar control as raw power 1:03:18 – What Texas Bullpen is building next Find us at seeingredpodcast.substack.com for full episodes. Follow us on all socials at @theseeingredpod [https://twitter.com/Theseeingredpod] and online at our website Seeing Red Podcast [https://seeingredpodcast.com/]. x.com/gwfulce

A Conservative Asks a Democrat to Explain Her Platform — She Didn’t Hold Back

Garrett Fulce returns to “Seeing Red” after a brief hiatus, discussing local politics with Sara McGee, a Democratic candidate for Texas House District 132. Sara shares her origin story in politics, sparked by a challenging encounter with current representative Mike Schofield, and her advocacy for issues like reproductive rights, public education, and health. The episode explores nuanced views on abortion, the implications of school choice, and Sara’s experiences with social media activism.  0:00 — Cold open  0:42 — Intro + explaining the hiatus  4:00 — McGee’s origin story  8:20 — Abortion: lived experience vs. legislative text 13:00 — Cases of miscarriage, preeclampsia, and medical liability fears 16:30 — Garrett’s rebuttal: moral hierarchy, exceptions, and conservative tensions 20:00 — Fringe bills vs. mainstream Republican thinking 23:00 — Why the abortion debate breaks political messaging 24:00 — Transition to education funding and vouchers Find us at seeingredpodcast.substack.com for full episodes. Follow us on all socials at @theseeingredpod [https://twitter.com/Theseeingredpod] and online at our website Seeing Red Podcast [https://seeingredpodcast.com/]. x.com/gwfulce

The Battle to Lead Texas’s Legal Front Line: A Conversation with Aaron Reitz

In this episode of Seeing Red, Garrett Fulce sits down with Aaron Reitz, candidate for Texas Attorney General. Reitz draws on his background as a Marine Corps officer, senior attorney under Ken Paxton, and Trump-era DOJ official to outline why he believes he’s the most qualified contender for Texas’s top legal job. They dig into: * His time leading 46 lawsuits against the Biden administration * His plan to go on legal offense against federal overreach and urban corruption. * Why he sees the AG’s office as “a combat post, not a stepping-stone.” * How military discipline and faith shape his leadership style. It’s an insider’s look at a pivotal race in 2026 Texas politics—one that could define the next decade of conservatism. 0:00 “Legal Combat”: What It Takes to Be Texas Attorney General 5:09 From Marine Officer to Statewide Candidate 8:28 Reitz’s Vision for Texas and the Rule of Law 21:23 Crime, Corruption, and Big-City DAs 22:41 Going on Offense: The AG as Legal Warrior 28:34 Border Security, Election Integrity, and Federal Overreach 34:51 Leaving DOJ and Returning to Texas 41:28 Leading 4,000 Employees and 700 Attorneys 53:23 Child-Support Enforcement and Everyday Justice 1:02:09 Recruiting Conservative Legal Talent 1:04:26 Final Thoughts: “The Tip of the Spear for Liberty” Find us at seeingredpodcast.substack.com for full episodes. Follow us on all socials at @theseeingredpod [https://twitter.com/Theseeingredpod] and online at our website Seeing Red Podcast [https://seeingredpodcast.com/]. x.com/gwfulce

God, Guns, and the GOP: How Faith and Power Collide in Texas (A conversation with Robert Downen)

Garrett Fulce talks with Texas Monthly reporter Robert Downen about covering the intersection of faith and politics in Texas. The conversation ranges from Downen’s early work exposing abuse in the Southern Baptist Convention to the current tensions inside the Texas GOP between establishment figures and grassroots activists. They discuss the rise of Christian nationalism, how extremism seeps into policymaking, and what it means to report truthfully in a hyper-polarized environment. Downen also reflects on journalism’s future in the digital era and the ethical tightrope reporters walk when sources see coverage itself as a badge of honor. 0:00 – “Rewarding tantrums”: Garrett’s opening monologue 1:55 – Downen’s path from evangelical roots to journalism 3:18 – From Houston Chronicle to Texas Monthly — how reporting evolved 12:27 – Digital algorithms and the decline of local news 14:28 – Covering politicians and faith leaders who see media as the enemy 23:00 – Inside power struggles and grassroots extremism in Texas GOP 32:57 – Media credibility and public mistrust 34:41 – Online radicalization and political violence 45:12 – How right-wing extremism reshapes policy debate 54:19 – Religion in Texas primaries and future trends 1:08:12 – Closing thoughts on journalism’s role in a fractured state Find us at seeingredpodcast.substack.com for full episodes. Follow us on all socials at @theseeingredpod [https://twitter.com/Theseeingredpod] and online at our website Seeing Red Podcast [https://seeingredpodcast.com/]. x.com/gwfulce