Party Politics

On this week’s Party Politics, co-hosts Brandon Rottinghaus and Jeronimo Cortina examine President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance’s visit to Texas and the Republican effort to appeal to Latino voters. The hosts also discuss the Trump administration's taxpayer-funded campaign advertising and the role of political messaging heading into the midterms.

The U.S. Senate race between Republican Ken Paxton and Democrat James Talarico gets a closer look, including their debate over the federal gas tax, Paxton’s support of super PACs and the broader dynamics of the race.

The discussion also turns to the Texas governor’s race, including Republican Gov. Greg Abbott and Democratic candidate Gina Hinojosa. Rottinghaus and Cortina examine Abbott’s recent diesel disaster declaration and what it could mean politically and economically.

Finally, the hosts look at divisions within the Democratic Party and a recently overturned voter fraud case, adding another layer to the ongoing debate over elections and voting in Texas.

On this week’s Party Politics, co-hosts Brandon Rottinghaus and Jeronimo Cortina examine whether Texas could be moving toward a political shift—and what it could mean for Republicans heading into the midterms.

The hosts discuss Sen. Ted Cruz’s concerns that Republicans could lose ground in Texas, the growing affordability issue and the impact of President Donald Trump on the state’s political landscape. They also examine whether Republican border policies have been successful and whether the GOP can maintain its support among Latino voters.

On the Democratic side, Rottinghaus and Cortina consider whether Democrats have enough time to build momentum, including efforts to reach voters in rural communities. They also assess what recent races and changing voter demographics could signal about the future of Texas politics—and whether the state could eventually turn blue.

TOPICS:

On this week's episode of Party Politics, co-hosts Brandon Rottinghaus and Jeronimo Cortina examine the continuing resolution and whether Republicans can claim credit for recent political wins. The hosts also look at plans for a televised GOP midterm convention and what the gathering could mean for the Texas Senate race, as well as the growing barrage of campaign ads.

In Texas, they examine Gov. Greg Abbott’s decision to block funding for Flock surveillance cameras and discuss former Attorney General Ken Paxton’s appearance in a video game. They also cover Meta’s $1 billion settlement with Texas and what it could mean for the state’s ongoing battles with the tech giant.

NATIONAL TOPICS:

Another continuing resolution by the House of Representatives.

Can republicans claim credit for recent political wins?

Televised GOP midterm convention headed to Dallas.

TEXAS TOPICS:

Potential impact of the midterm GOP convention on the Texas Senate race.

Governor Abbott blocks funding for flock cameras.

Texas Senate Race advertisement overload.

Senate race candidate Ken Paxton appears in a video game.

Meta owes Texas $1Billion dollars as result of a lawsuit.

In addition to the YouTube version, you can also enjoy Party Politics on television every Friday night at 8:00pm on Houston Public Media TV-8 (PBS), or listen to the radio broadcast every Friday at 7:30pm on News 88.7. As always, you can subscribe to the audio podcast on Apple Podcasts (or wherever you get your podcasts). Join the conversation: Tweet us using #PartyPoliticsPod or email [email protected].

On the season five premier of Party Politics, co-hosts Brandon Rottinghaus and Jeronimo Cortina break down the latest national and Texas political developments. They examine the Trump administration’s new economic sanctions on Iran, plans to expand beef imports and the Supreme Court’s decision allowing restrictions on mail-in voting to move forward.

In Texas, Trump’s upcoming Harris County visit raises questions about its impact on Republican politics—and whether it could create problems for Attorney General Ken Paxton.

The episode also looks at Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick’s push to penalize school districts over books deemed inappropriate under Senate Bill 13 and Gov. Greg Abbott’s call for a financial review of school district spending.

Plus, Paxton’s appearance at a WNBA game amid recent discussions about transgender athletes, while Abbott’s Texas-themed playlist draws attention for an unexpected reason.

After a season packed with political drama, legal battles, campaign chaos, and some truly surreal headlines, Party Politics wrapped up Season 4 with a look back at the moments viewers talked about most. Hosts Brandon Rottinghaus and Jeronimo Cortina revisited some of the year’s biggest conversations — from Texas elections and redistricting fights to immigration debates, economic frustrations, and the increasingly unpredictable political messaging coming out of Washington. The finale highlighted what made this season stand out: connecting political science theory to the everyday realities voters experience.

One major discussion focused on Texas politics and whether the state is truly experiencing a long-term political realignment. The hosts break down how campaign organization, fundraising, turnout, and geography continue to shape elections across Texas — especially as both parties battle for suburban and Latino voters.

Another standout moment centered on birthright citizenship and the constitutional questions surrounding executive power. The conversation explored not only the legal implications but also the deeper national identity questions tied to immigration and what it means to be American.

The episode also revisits one of the season’s most talked-about debates online: redistricting. Brandon and Jeronimo examined how aggressive map-drawing efforts could backfire politically, particularly as economic concerns like inflation and rising gas prices continue to dominate voter priorities heading into the midterms.

And, of course, the finale wouldn’t have been complete without revisiting some of the season’s strangest political moments — including viral political messaging, internet-fueled controversies, and the growing challenge political leaders face in staying focused on affordability issues voters care about most.

Throughout the episode, the hosts emphasized a recurring theme from Season 4: voters may tolerate political chaos, but everyday costs — gas, groceries, housing, and economic stability — remain the issues that cut through the noise.

The “Best of Party Politics” special also served as a thank you to viewers and listeners who watched, commented, debated online, and helped make Season 4 one of the show’s biggest yet.

Party Politics returns for Season 5 on August 28.

Foreign policy tensions, rising gas prices, redistricting wars, and major Texas political maneuvering all collide in this week’s episode of Party Politics.

Co-hosts Brandon Rottinghaus and Jeronimo Cortina break down how escalating conflict with Iran is creating political headaches for the White House — especially as Americans continue to feel economic pressure at the pump.

The episode examines the political fallout from stalled negotiations with Tehran, Republican proposals to suspend the federal gas tax, and growing voter frustration over inflation and consumer prices. The hosts discuss whether temporary gas tax relief would actually help Americans or simply become another political talking point ahead of the midterms.

They also unpack a controversial Republican reconciliation strategy that includes affordability proposals, Iran-related funding debates, and criticism surrounding billion-dollar White House projects. The conversation explores whether members of the GOP are beginning to distance themselves from some of former President Donald Trump’s priorities as questions emerge about the party’s future after Trump.

Another major focus: redistricting.

The hosts analyze recent court rulings and the growing legal fight over voting maps across the country. They discuss how Supreme Court decisions could weaken protections previously tied to the Voting Rights Act and potentially reshape congressional representation for years to come. The conversation also explores the long-term political consequences of partisan gerrymandering for both Democrats and Republicans.

Texas politics also takes center stage.

The episode dives into Barack Obama’s appearance in Texas supporting rising Democratic figure James Talarico and Gina Hinojosa. They examine whether national Democratic figures can energize voters in an increasingly polarized state. Rottinghaus and Cortina debate whether Obama’s popularity helps Democrats expand their coalition — or further nationalizes and polarizes Texas races.

Meanwhile, Republican primary politics continue heating up as John Cornyn builds a massive fundraising advantage and Ken Paxton pushes lawsuit culture war battles tied to schools, streaming platforms, and conservative base issues.

The episode closes with discussion surrounding the cancellation of a proposed border wall expansion near Big Bend, highlighting rare bipartisan agreement around environmental and conservation concerns.

From Iran to Texas campaign strategy, this week’s Party Politics tackles the political fights shaping both Washington and the Lone Star State heading into a critical election season.

The 2028 presidential election may feel far away, but the race to define it is already underway. On this week’s Party Politics, Co-hosts Brandon Rottinghaus and Jeronimo Cortina break down how Democrats are quietly shaping their next presidential strategy—long before a single vote is cast.

At the center of the conversation is the “invisible primary,” the behind-the-scenes competition where candidates build support from donors, party elites, and voters. It’s not just about who runs—it’s about what the Democratic Party stands for moving forward.

Potential contenders are already signaling interest. Former Vice President Kamala Harris and California Governor Gavin Newsom appear to lead the early field, while figures like Pete Buttigieg, Gretchen Whitmer, and Josh Shapiro represent a second tier focused on broader voter appeal. A deeper bench of governors and national figures adds even more uncertainty to an already crowded picture.

But the bigger question isn’t just the candidates—it’s the strategy.

Democrats face a familiar challenge: how to rebuild a winning coalition. That means re-engaging core voters like African Americans, energizing younger voters, and improving outreach to Latino communities—especially in states like Texas, where turnout and margins remain critical.

Messaging will be key. The hosts argue that while Democrats have struggled to communicate clearly in recent cycles, there are signs of a shift toward more direct, policy-focused language. Economic concerns—particularly affordability—are expected to dominate, cutting across ideological lines and resonating with a wide range of voters.

Another debate is how much to focus on Donald Trump. While he remains a powerful political force, relying too heavily on opposition to him may not be enough to win in 2028. Instead, Democrats must define a forward-looking vision that connects with voters’ everyday concerns.

Ultimately, the 2026 midterms will offer the first real clues. They’ll test messages, measure turnout, and reveal whether Democrats are rebuilding momentum—or still searching for direction.

One thing is clear: the road to 2028 has already begun.