Podcast episodes
Check latest episodes from Inside Texas Politics podcast
September 27 | Jodey Arrington, Nate Sheets, Paula Blackmon, and the $40 Trillion National Debt
2026/09/28
In the September 27 episode, Republican U.S. Representative Jodey Arrington tells us why he’s calling for a constitutional amendment to balance the federal budget and why he chose Dallas for a field hearing to discuss the $40 trillion national debt. Republican nominee for Ag Commissioner Nate Sheets explains why he’s not calling for a data center moratorium and how he’d help Texas farmers and ranchers stay in business. And Dallas Council Member Paula Blackmon on the coalition now calling for Dallas voters to decide the fate of City Hall.
September 20 | Chip Roy, Clayton Tucker, and How AI and Data Centers Are Shaping the Midterms
2026/09/18
In the September 20 episode, Republican U.S. Representative Chip Roy explains why he thinks government must take a “human first” approach to regulating AI, and why he disagrees with President Trump calling AI safety fears a “hoax.” And Democrat Clayton Tucker tells us why he’s so focused on data centers in his race for Texas Agriculture Commissioner, and why one of the first things he’d do in office is conduct an agriculture impact study.
‘Inside Texas Politics’: James Talarico, EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin and what comes after the RNC’s midterm convention in Dallas.
2026/09/14
In the September 13 episode, Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate James Talarico touts the Republicans supporting his campaign and why he thinks he’s still an underdog despite recent polls. Plus, EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin says the RNC midterm convention was so successful, that both parties will probably replicate it. But will the big GOP gathering move any voters?
September 6 | Matt Krause, Kardal Coleman, D’rinda Randall, and Eliminating Voting Sites
2026/09/06
In the September 6 episode, Republican Tarrant County Commissioner Matt Krause explains why he supported reducing the number of voting sites in his county. In the long run, he thinks it will make elections more efficient, even though he doesn't know how much money the drastic cuts will really save. The chair of the Dallas County Democratic Party talks about the protests expected at the GOP midterm convention. And Republican Party of Texas chair D’rinda Randall on why she thinks that convention will energize the GOP and she sets the record straight on those ticket prices.
August 23 | Ana Maria Rodriguez Ramos, Jared Patterson, Mike Siegel and the Democratic Socialists in Texas
2026/08/23
In the August 23 episode, Democratic state Rep. Ana Maria Rodriguez Ramos discusses the new state audit of the Texas Education Agency which revealed a bloated bureaucracy and more managers than state regulations allow. GOP state Rep. Jared Patterson explains why he's creating a bipartisan voting bloc of DFW-area representatives who plan to advocate harder for North Texas. And Austin Council Member Mike Siegel explains why he's a Democratic Socialist, what it stands for and how much he's accomplished.
‘Inside Texas Politics’: Pat Fallon, Chad West, Bob Krumenaker, and the Bulldozing of Big Bend
2026/08/14
In the August 16 episode, Congressman Pat Fallon discusses whether he thinks the Iran war and the economy are risks to Republicans in November and what he thinks will make the difference in the U.S. Senate race. Council Member Chad West tells us why he thinks it’s time for the city of Dallas to catch up to other cities in regulating data centers. And former Big Bend National Park superintendent Bob Krumenaker talks about the growing bipartisan fallout caused by the bulldozing of Big Bend.
August 9th | Craig Goldman, Tim O’Hare, Daniel Comeaux, and the Data Center Pause in Texas
2026/08/07
In the August 9 episode, Congressman Craig Goldman remembers Kay Granger, the legend he succeeded in Congress. And the Republican tells us if sees a role for the federal government in regulating data centers. Tarrant County Judge Tim O’Hare discusses a controversial plan to reduce election day voting locations and defends his decision to arrest a former state lawmaker. And Dallas Police Chief Daniel Comeaux on why he supports a proposed public safety bond and why he thinks it would help recruit the best officers to Dallas.
‘Inside Texas Politics’: Shelley Luther, Christina Morales, Zarin Gracey, and Midterm Election Strategy
2026/07/31
In the August 2 episode, state Representative Shelley Luther explains why she doesn’t think the bad blood from the GOP primary will last through the midterms, and why independents remain crucial. State Representative Christina Morales tells us why Democrats are confident with three months to go, and why the party truly believes Texas is in play in 2026. And Dallas Council Member Zarin Gracey discusses the city’s $51 million budget hole and whether he thinks jobs are on the line
July 26 | Beth Van Duyne, Paula Blackmon, Rodney Ellis, and the Expanding Iran War
2026/07/24
In the July 26 episode, Republican Congresswoman Beth Van Duyne explains why she calls a vote to end the Iran War a “messaging bill” and why she supports providing $73 billion more in funding to help continue the conflict. Dallas Council Member Paula Blackmon reveals how much revenue the naming rights for the new convention center might provide Dallas and why she’s not ready to get rid of the current namesake. And Harris County Commissioner Rodney Ellis tells us exactly how large the county deficit is and why it will lead to some dramatic cost cutting measures.
‘Inside Texas Politics’: Bo French, Michael Hinojosa, Paulette Guajardo, and the Race to Lead Texas’ Oil & Gas Industry
2026/07/17
In the July 19 episode, GOP nominee for Texas Railroad Commissioner Bo French explains why he’s busy discussing issues that seemingly have nothing to do with the agency and the regulations he’d rip up. Former Dallas ISD Superintendent Michael Hinojosa tells us why he announced a run for Dallas Mayor so early, 15 months ahead of that election. And Corpus Christi Mayor Paulette Guajardo on why she thinks the city’s water crisis will cost some council members their jobs in November.
July 12 | Amanda Rodriguez, Sid Miller, and Texas’ First Data Center Ban
2026/07/12
In the July 12 episode, San Marcos Council Member Amanda Rodriguez tells us city residents of all political stripes demanded action and explains why the city thinks it has the authority to pass Texas’ first data center ban. And Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller discusses why he’s asking for an immediate special session to address data center regulation, and why he’s calling out the Governor in the process.
July 5 | D’rinda Randall, Kendall Scudder, Tiffany Clark, and the GOP Midterm Convention
2026/07/03
In the July 5 episode, newly elected Republican Party of Texas chair D’rinda Randall tells us why the GOP is holding a midterm convention in Dallas and why they think it’s important. Meantime, newly re-elected Texas Democratic Party chair Kendall Scudder explains why he thinks the midterm convention is a sign the GOP fears the midterms. And State Board of Education member Tiffany Clark says now that the Bible will be required reading in public schools, the government is taking control of classrooms.
June 28 | Gene Wu, Paul Bettencourt, Jon Rosenthal and the Democrats new southern strategy
2026/06/26
In the June 28 episode, Rep. Gene Wu talks a newly launched effort by house Democrats to build cross-state legislative coalitions across the American South to counter Republican legislation. Rep. John Rosenthal lays out his qualifications for the railroad commission, and Senator Bettencourt looks back at the legislative aftermath of the devastating Hill Country flash floods.
June 21 | Dan Patrick, Vikki Goodwin, Mike Collier, and the Race for Lieutenant Governor
2026/06/19
In the June 21 episode, Texas voters hear from the candidates who want to be Lieutenant Governor. Incumbent Republican Dan Patrick explains what else he’d like to accomplish if elected to a fourth term. Democratic nominee Vikki Goodwin, a state Representative, is looking to build up her profile with voters outside of the Austin area. And Mike Collier is trying to run as an independent, but a court will have to decide if he makes the ballot at all.
June 14th | Gina Hinojosa, John Muns, Paul Bettencourt, and Making Public Education a Campaign Issue
2026/06/12
In the June 14 episode, Democratic nominee for Texas Governor Gina Hinojosa’s campaign is focused on public education and she explains why she’d fire the TEA Commissioner on day one and why she would pause the A-F accountability system. Mayor John Muns discusses traffic concerns surrounding the Dallas Stars’ move north to Plano. And state Senator Paul Bettencourt reacts to the Governor’s call for data center regulation.