Brad Johnson
@bradj_TX
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Senior Reporter & Managing Editor | @TheTexanNews | [email protected] | Unfortunately not the Super Bowl-winning quarterback.
Austin, TX
Joined August 2013
Breaking: Texas Rep. @RyanGuillen (D-Rio Grande City), has switched his party affiliation to the GOP. He makes the announcement alongside @GovAbbott, @DadePhelan, @MattRinaldiTX, @CatParksTX, @TXGOPCaucus chair @JimMurphy133, & other House Republicans. #txlege
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.@DanPatrick just now at a presser in Galveston: "CenterPoint will have to answer for themselves if they were prepared and positioned. The state was positioned and prepared. I'll tell you whether I'm satisfied or not when I have a full report on where their crews were [and] how.
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Utility crews staged this morning in Southeast Texas and I’m told they’re still waiting for direction from @CenterPoint. The CP spox said earlier they’re still in the damage assessment phase of response. (Photo taken about an hour ago.)
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The Fort Bend County GOP just adopted this resolution (with some tweaks on the fly) threatening censure against @GatesforTexas and @StanKitzmanTX if they vote for a non-GOP caucus endorsed candidate for speaker. #txlege
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Update: I've received comment from #TX20 GOP candidate Mauro Garza, who is allegedly implicated in the voter fraud scheme exposed by the @Project_Veritas video. "The volunteer in the investigative video no longer serves on my campaign."
.@TXAG will investigate voter fraud allegations uncovered by @Project_Veritas. A video shows San Antonio political consultant Raquel Rodriguez describing her ballot harvesting scheme and touting the 7,000 votes she has manipulated.
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Sen. Cruz's podcast has been up and running for less than a week and it's already become the most downloaded podcast on Apple's charts.
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New: Here's a copy of the civil arrest warrant for @CortezPhilip signed by @DadePhelan yesterday after he returned to DC. #txlege
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#txlege Republicans are circulating this letter calling for @JasmineForUS to resign. Crockett was among the congressional Democrats who signed onto a bill that’d strip Secret Service protection for anyone convicted and sentenced to prison:
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New: A poll released by the @TexasGOP from @CWS_Research shows Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis up 11 points on Donald Trump in a Texas 2024 GOP primary matchup. The same pollster had Trump +17 over DeSantis in October. Full poll:
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What an absolute GOP bloodbath in the #txlege House. 9 have lost, 8 pushed to runoffs w/ one (Troxclair) waiting on returns. One thing I heard from candidates and consultants alike, on both sides of this clash, was that the Trump endorsements flipped everything on their head.
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Statement from @JaredLPatterson, one of 60 House Rs who voted for impeachment, on the Paxton acquittal. #txlege
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New: Montgomery County GOP Vice Chair Jon Bouché announces that he will challenge @willmetcalfTX in the 2026 #HD16 primary. #txlege
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This resolution is being drafted by the Harris County Republican Party threatening to censure any of their GOP Texas House members who vote for @Burrows4TX for speaker. #txlege
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Breaking: 46 current or presumptive @TXGOPCaucus members release a letter saying they will not support anyone for 89(R) speaker who will appoint Democrats as committee chairs. #txlege. That's a majority of the GOP caucus.
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.@RogersForTexas goes scorched earth in column following #HD60 loss. #txlege . “Gov. Greg Abbott has defiled the Office of Governor by creating and repeating blatant lies about me and my House colleagues, those who took a stand for our public schools.”.
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.@TexasGOP SREC Resolutions Committee just recommended to the full body a resolution calling on @DadePhelan to resign or for the House to vacate the chair. Will be voted on by the full body tomorrow. #txlege.
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New: Firearm manufacturer Ruger sent a letter to #txlege members asserting that @WellsFargo is in violation of 2021's #SB19, which prohibits state contracts with companies that "discriminate against the firearm or ammunition industries.". Full letter:
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Inbox: @TexasGOP releases the 13 ballot props that’ll be on the 2024 primary ballot:. 1. Eliminate prop taxes?.2. Create border protection unit?.3. Require E-verify?.4. Eliminate illegal alien subsidies?.5. No illegal immigration amnesty?.6. Against Texas national guard
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.@ColinAllredTX camp continues its abortion messaging in a new digital ad, being run statewide. #TXSen
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Of note: the two Rs who've voted for impeachment so far—Nichols and Hancock—both drew 4-year terms after redistricting. Means they're not up for re-election until 2026. #txlege . Of the Rs w/ 2024 re-elect, all have voted Nay so far: Bettencourt, King, Parker, Huffman, Campbell,.
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New:@travisfortexas, one of the #txlege 23 House Rs who voted against @KenPaxtonTX's impeachment in May, has filed #HJR8 that'd amend the const. to:. -ensure accused is paid during suspension.-require all House testimony to be under oath.-provide counsel to the accused.-allow
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Scene outside the Texas House chamber this morning — @MomsDemand is protesting for gun restrictive legislation. #txlege
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Happening now: @RepMattSchaefer is filing paperwork at the @TexasGOP to put @RonDeSantis on the 2024 primary ballot.
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“I can, and I will, call special session after session after special session all the way up to the election next year until they do their job,” @GovAbbott tells @KVUE about the Democratic quorum break. “They will be corralled and cabined in the Capitol.” #txlege.
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Breaking: The Texas House recommends impeachment of @KenPaxtonTX by a vote of 121-23-2. The articles will now be referred to the Senate and Paxton suspended while that trial occurs. #txlege
The Texas House is gaveled in to consider HR 2377, the articles of impeachment against @KenPaxtonTX. The gallery is full. #txlege
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As I went off to college, my dad gave me this book with a note. Here's a portion of it:. "I found this book one day in a gift store & it seemed to be a great reminder that the men of the Am. Rev., who have been dead for almost 200 years, still have a lot to teach people today."/1
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New: @DonHuffines has released his outline for integrating Bitcoin into state policy. #TxGov. It includes: . -Establishing Bitcoin as legal tender in the state.-Prohibiting localities from regulating Bitcoin.-Shielding cryptocurrency miners and owners from federal regulations
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.@tedcruz’s camp is now up with its own response ad to Allred’s in which he said he does not support boys in girls’ sports. #TXSen
.@ColinAllredTX up with this face to camera ad countering @tedcruz’s ads hitting the Democrat on the biological men in women’s sports issue. Allred says here he doesn’t want boys in girls’ sports. #TXSen
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The Orange County GOP voted 14-6 tonight to censure @DadePhelan on the grounds of appointing Democrats as committee chairs, among others. Orange is the largest county in Phelan’s district. #txlege . Here’s the resolution:
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Cruz here on the LNG export pause: “What Joe Biden did is effectively sanction the state of Texas, this is declaring war on Texas . He did it because he's pissed off that Texas is standing up to the Biden administration on the border, is fighting to secure the border.".
Big Tech Exposed for Hurting Kids, plus Biden ATTACKS Texas & Americans by Restricting LNG Exports. @benfergusonshow and I torched big tech and the Biden administration on Verdict. Available wherever you get your podcasts.
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New: @txcomptroller @Glenn_Hegar responds to @TXAG demand for @KenPaxtonTX's back pay in its own letter. #txlege. " Because we disagree with your interpretation of the Texas Constitution on this very important issue, we encourage you to file a writ of mandamus with the Texas
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New: @MattRinaldiTX out with a statement on the 2020 election-related resolution passed at the @TexasGOP convention:. "Texas Republicans rightly have no faith in the 2020 election results and we don’t care how many times the elites tell us we have to."
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.@Bailesfortx out with a lengthy and fiery statement on FB on Colony Ridge and @GovAbbott’s role in its growth. #txlege . “[My refusal] resulted in the developer making a $50,000 contribution to Governor Abbott, which bought him a sit down lunch in the Governors Mansion with
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New: @WatchChad confirms earlier statements, tells me that he is planning on challenging @GovAbbott in 2022 GOP primary. #txlege.
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New: @GovAbbott announces the state will opt out of the extra $300 per week federal unemployment benefit. #txlege
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New: @DavidCookTexas just sent this email to Texas House Democrats asking for their support for speaker. #txlege . “When I launched my campaign for Speaker, I pledged to earn the support of my fellow Republicans before seeking your support. When I pledged to follow the rules of
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The Texas Senate has concurred with the House’s amendment to #SB14, the ban of gender modification procedures on minors. It now moves to @GovAbbott. #txlege
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Not sure why, but it seems like a good day to re-up my mail-in-voting fraud analysis piece.
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Breaking: @Burrows4TX has released his list of 76 supporters for speaker — 38 Rs and 38 Ds. #txlege
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New: @KenPaxtonTX issues statement on the upcoming House General Investigating Committee meeting. #txlege. “Next week's House General Investigating Committee is yet another desperate attempt by the Republican establishment to impeach me.”
New: The House General Investigating Committee will meet on July 17 for an undisclosed purpose. #txlege
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Shilo Platts, a precinct chair in Jefferson County will formally announce a primary challenge against @DadePhelan in #HD21 on Saturday. #txlege
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New @hobbyschooluh release gauges school vouchers/ESAs: Respondents overwhelmingly approve of vouchers & ESAs both for all parents & just for low-income parents. White Dems are the only partisan/racial group that oppose vouchers for all parents. #txlege
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Breaking: @GovAbbott has officially set the start of the 88(1) special #txlege session for tonight at 9 pm. The agenda includes property taxes and border security. #txlege
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Breaking: @FairlyForTexas announces she’s voting for @Burrows4TX for speaker. That’s a defection from the @DavidCookTexas camp. #txlege
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.@tedcruz statement on this decision to pause LNG export permits: . “This move is environmentally damaging, because U.S. liquefied natural gas displaces dirtier foreign options, and is geopolitically reckless, bc it is guaranteed to undermine European energy security and increase
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.@ColinAllredTX camp releases an internal poll that puts the #TXSen race tied at 46% — 800 LVs, 10/18-10-23. Memo:
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National figures begin to wade into the #txlege speaker fight:.
It’s unbelievable what is happening in Texas right now. There is a group of so-called Republicans cutting a deal with liberal Democrats to elect a speaker instead of uniting behind the Republican nominee, @DavidCookTexas! Unbelievable! Republicans have a mandate!.
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Inbox: Texas was the highest exporting state in 2021 w/ $375.3 billion in exports, a position it's held for 20 straight years, per @GovAbbott release.
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The @TexasGOP will be sending direct mail into #txlege districts of members who are backing @Burrows4TX’s speakership bid. One of the messages to a Rep from @abrahamgeorge:
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Breaking: Shawn Thierry says she’s flipping from the Democratic Party to the GOP. #txlege.
A thread 🧵 1/ of x. As a woman, a mother, and a lawmaker, I have dedicated my life to championing the values that fortify our families and uplift our communities. After much reflection, prayer, and soul-searching, I have come to a decision that aligns with my core values and the
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New: @tedcruz and the @TexasGOP are up this morning with two new ads hitting @ColinAllredTX over his votes on the biological males in female sports issue. #TXSen. $6.7 million in all, the ads will air in Dallas, Houston, Austin, San Antonio, & Waco-Bryan:.
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Quite the exchange in Austin with @JoeBiden on @SpeakerJohnson’s reaction to the president’s SCOTUS reform proposal:
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.@AllenWest backs stripping the @TexasHDC that broke quorum of their committee chairmanships and other leadership positions. Also supports “vacating” their seats and holding special elections to fill them. @GovAbbott took those positions yesterday. #txlege.
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New: @tedcruz endorses @TimothyOHare in his race for Tarrant County Judge. "Tim is a proven leader and a strong conservative who is pro-life, pro-2nd Amendment, pro-business, & pro-freedom. As Tarrant Co Judge, Tim will fight for limited government, low taxes, & for families.".
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#txlege timeline here. ~2:30 pm: House General Investigating announces 3 pm meeting. 2:53 pm: Paxton releases statement calling on Phelan to resign. 3:00 pm: GI convenes in executive session. 3:10 pm: OAG tweets out photo of letter to GI requesting investigation into Phelan.
Breaking: The House General Investigating Committee announces subpoenas issued to “John Doe Number 6” and the Office of the Attorney General in “Matter A.” . No decisions were made in executive session. A public hearing will be held tomorrow at 8 am. #txlege.
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New: @TXsecofstate releases preliminary findings of its Harris County audit of the 2022 election. #txlege . Mentions:.-9k more voters in the registration system than were reported to the state.-3,600 mail ballots sent but not reported to the state. Findings:
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The immediate aftermath of the communist parade in downtown Austin blocking an intersection. They were ordered off Congress Ave but are now back marching down 4th St.
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Looks like the Downtown Austin homeless encampment underneath I-35 & across from the police department HQ is being cleared out at the moment.
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Among the #txlege House managers’ exhibits is an email from former @TXAG employee Ryan Bangert about the OAG opinion that Nate Paul’s attorneys allegedly used to try to prevent foreclosure on some of his properties. The email alleges that @AngelaPaxtonTX was involved in
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Donald Trump’s margin of victory in Texas went from:. 2020-631,00 (+5.6%).2024-1,573,000 (+13.9%). Ted Cruz’s went from:. 2018-215,000 (+2.6%).2024-976,000 (+8.3%). (Had lagging 2024 results in the first version.).
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Confirmed: @DadePhelan told members today he will drop out of the #txlege speaker race. @Burrows4TX is running instead.
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New: A Tarrant County woman, Soren Aldaco, has sued 5 doctors for $1 million over alleged malpractice for performing gender modification procedures/treatments on her — a process that began when she was 15 culminating in a 2021 double mastectomy. Filing:
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Transportation Chair @TerryCanales40 ripped up 10 voting cards for Senate bills this morning, protesting the lack of HB movement in the Senate. #txlege. “It is not my intention to call or hear or vote on any Senate bills until the House’s bills start to move in the Senate.”
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New from @GregAbbott_TX on school choice: "We can fully fund schools while also giving parents a choice in which school is right for their child. Empowering the parent means giving them the ability to send their child to any [kind of] school w/ state funding following student.".
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"I want to be very direct on one overriding concept: this is the people's House, " @Burrows4TX says in acceptance speech. #txlege ."This is greater than any one person, and any one faction.". Priorities named:.-Property tax.-Water infrastructure.-School funding.-Threats of terror.
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Inbox: @ShelbySlawson with an op-ed on the 1-year anniversary of @KenPaxtonTX’s impeachment in the #txlege House. “Whatever the House has learned from impeachment it should, at a minimum, be this: The architects of impeachment lit the House on fire, and regardless of what
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Inbox: Breakdown from @GovAbbott on individuals removed from voter rolls by category in conjunction with 2021’s SB1. #txlege
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