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Party Politics

Party Politics

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Overwhelmed by the political news cycle every week? We get it — that’s why we’re ‘keeping the fun but losing all the drama’ of politics! Party Politics podcast is hosted by Brandon Rottinghaus and Jeronimo Cortina, two smart and sassy University of Houston political science professors, who deliver a friendly, funny, and casually informative recap of the week's biggest political news stories. Join the conversation on Twitter @HPMPolitics; use #PartyPoliticsPod to ask Brandon and Jeronimo questions; or email us at Party Politics.

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  • Texas Primary Election Turmoil: Jesse Jackson’s Legacy, GOP Divisions, and Media Controversies
    Feb 20 2026

    If you or someone you know may be struggling with suicidal thoughts, contact the 988 National & Suicide Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988.

    This week on Party Politics, co-hosts Brandon Rottinghaus and Jeronimo Cortina examined how a turbulent election season is colliding with moments of national reflection and intensifying political drama in Texas. The episode opened with the death of civil rights leader Jesse Jackson at 84, whose legacy continues to shape modern debates over voting rights, political organizing, and coalition-building.

    Texas politics also marked the passing of actor Robert Duvall at 95, while attention quickly turned back to the March primary election. With early voting approaching, the co-hosts discussed what voters should be watching for — from turnout patterns and messaging shifts to how endorsements and campaign spending may sway close races.

    Several controversies are already shaping the political landscape. U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales is facing scrutiny over reports of an extramarital affair, while political figure Nathan Sheets revealed past struggles with addiction, prompting discussion about transparency, accountability, and voter forgiveness. Questions have also emerged around comptroller candidate Don Huffines after reports that his family owns a former New York ranch tied to Jeffrey Epstein.

    The role of media in the campaign spotlighted another flashpoint after CBS pulled an interview with Texas Rep. James Talarico from The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, citing FCC concerns — fueling debate over political speech and broadcast caution during election season.

    Finally, the episode explored the soaring cost of Texas’ U.S. Senate primary and growing fractures within the Republican Party, as endorsements from Gov. Greg Abbott increasingly diverge from those backed by President Donald Trump. Together, these developments highlight a high-stakes moment for Texas voters, with implications reaching far beyond the state’s borders.

    NATIONAL TOPICS:Jesse Jackson dies at 84TEXAS TOPICS:Actor Robert Duvall dies at 95.What should voters watch for leading up to the March primary election?Austin Representative Tony Gonzales extramarital affair scandal.Nathan Sheets reveals previous addictions and complicated past.Comptroller candidate Don Huffines' family own former New York Epstein ranch.CBS pulls James Talarico's interview on the Colbert show due to FCC concerns.Expensive Texas Senate primary election race.Endorsements: Governor Greg Abbott vs. President Donald Trump.In addition to YouTube, Party Politics airs every Friday night at 8:00 p.m. CT on Houston Public Media TV-8 (PBS), or listen every Friday at 7:30 p.m. CT on News 88.7. The audio podcast is also available on Apple Podcasts (or wherever you get your podcasts).
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    27 Min.
  • From DHS Shutdown Threats to Texas Political Warfare
    Feb 13 2026
    In this week’s episode of Party Politics, co-hosts Brandon Rottinghaus and Jeronimo Cortina break down how Washington brinkmanship and Texas political warfare converged, underscoring how national chaos and state-level power struggles increasingly mirror one another.At the federal level, the threat of a government shutdown resurfaced—this time over funding for the Department of Homeland Security. While shutdown politics are nothing new, DHS occupies a critical role in border enforcement, disaster response, and national security, making the standoff especially consequential for Texas, where immigration remains a defining political issue.The U.S. House also pushed back on former President Donald Trump’s tariff agenda, signaling renewed concern about the economic costs of trade wars. Lawmakers from both parties are increasingly wary of tariffs as inflationary tools that hit consumers and manufacturers alike.Trump, undeterred, floated the idea of sanctions on Switzerland—a proposal that startled foreign policy watchers given the country’s central role in global finance and diplomacy. Whether serious or rhetorical, the suggestion fit a familiar campaign posture: confrontation over cooperation.In Texas, political conflict played out through costly ad wars. Democratic lawmakers Jasmine Crockett and James Talarico exchanged high-profile messaging, a reminder that even policy-aligned figures now battle for narrative dominance in an attention-driven media landscape.Attorney General Ken Paxton raised the stakes further, spending more than $3 million on ads targeting Congressman Wesley Hunt. The move signals Paxton’s continued effort to shape Republican primaries and enforce ideological discipline within the party.Labor weighed in on the governor’s race, with unions splitting endorsements between Governor Greg Abbott and Democratic challenger Gina Hinojosa. The divide reflects both Abbott’s appeal to some working-class voters and Democrats’ ongoing struggle to consolidate labor support statewide.The courts also made waves. A federal judge shut down Texas Senate Bill 13, halting enforcement of the controversial law and reopening debates over state power and constitutional limits.And as politics collided with pop culture, a resurfaced clip of State Representative Gene Wu during Super Bowl weekend reignited online debate.From shutdown threats to sanction talk and Texas ad blitzes, the throughline is escalation. The volume is rising, the spending is climbing, and the next election cycle is already taking shape.
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    27 Min.
  • Runoffs, Rifts, and the Fight for Texas Power
    Feb 6 2026

    Texas politics delivered no shortage of drama this week, and the latest episode of Party Politics breaks down a fast-moving landscape shaped by runoff elections, national power struggles, and the growing influence of digital media. This week on Party Politics, co-hosts Brandon Rottinghaus and Jeronimo Cortina discuss Democrats notched key victories in pivotal runoff races. Taylor Rehmet secured a win in Texas Senate District 9, signaling momentum for Democrats in a district long watched for signs of shifting voter coalitions. In Houston, Christian Menefee prevailed in the Congressional District 18 runoff, setting the stage for a high-profile general election contest. Adding another layer to that race, Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo endorsed longtime Congressman Al Green ahead of the district’s upcoming midterm election, underscoring divisions and alliances within the party.

    On the Republican side, attention turned to former President Donald Trump, who may soon weigh in with an endorsement in the Texas U.S. Senate race—an intervention that could significantly reshape an already crowded field. Meanwhile, audio of Senator Ted Cruz criticizing both Trump and Vice President JD Vance surfaced, offering a rare glimpse into internal GOP tensions. Despite that criticism, Cruz is also drawing scrutiny for a Republican Party fundraising email, with fine-print language raising questions about how donor money is ultimately being allocated.

    The episode also explores how political narratives are increasingly shaped outside traditional media. James Talarico’s comments about potentially running against Senator Colin Allred were brought to wider attention not by a campaign or news outlet, but by a TikTok creator, highlighting how social media platforms are now breaking—and reframing—political stories in real time.

    At the state level, Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick’s interim charges signal the policy priorities lawmakers will confront next session, even as Washington grapples with a lack of funding for the Department of Homeland Security, raising broader concerns about governance and national security.

    And, because modern politics rarely exist without spectacle, the episode closes with a discussion of the much-talked-about Melania movie, examining how political figures continue to shape their public image beyond the campaign trail.

    From Texas runoffs to TikTok exposés, this episode of Party Politics captures a moment when elections, endorsements, and online influence are colliding—reshaping how power is contested and communicated across the state and the nation.

    TEXAS TOPICS:Texas democrat Taylor Rhmet wins Senate district 9 runnoff.Donald Trump may endorse a Texas Republican Senate candidate.James Talarico's comments about running against Colin Allred exposed by Tik Toker.Christian Menefee wins Texas Congressional District 18 runoff.Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo endorses Al Green in Congressional District 18 Mid Term election.Audio of Senator Ted Cruz criticizing Donald President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance released.Senator Ted Cruz sending out a fundraising email for the Republican Party, with a fine print description of where the money is going.Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick brings interim charges to session.NATIONAL TOPICS:No funding for the Department of Homeland Security.Melania Movie.In addition to YouTube, Party Politics airs every Friday night at 8:00 p.m. CT on Houston Public Media TV-8 (PBS), or listen every Friday at 7:30 p.m. CT on News 88.7. The audio podcast is also available on Apple Podcasts (or wherever you get your podcasts).
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    27 Min.
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