The Texas Blue Action Podcast

Our long-indicted AG Ken Paxton is facing a growing number of challengers for his job, including a growing rogue's gallery from within his own party, and several solid Democratic candidates as well. One of them is Rochelle Garza, who joins Lana to talk about her vision of the position and the ways in which a more reasonable, compassionate and progressive AG could help transform Texas into its very best state. 

The mysterious and powerful Texas Railroad Commission is both the political backbone of the Texas energy sector AND directly culpable in the winter freeze disaster last February. It has little to nothing to do with railroads! Luke Warford has declared his candidacy to this important regulatory body and talks to Lana about the outdated and corrupt state of the agency and what his priorities would be if elected.

Lana talks with Texas State Representative Erin Zweiner of District 45, who won her first race (while pregnant!) by uniting voters in San Marcos, Kyle, Wimberley and Dripping Springs with the truth that progressive values are Texas values. What's the post-redistricting battle in rural counties like 45 likely to involve? We discuss.

Science-heeding parents nationwide are breathing a sigh of relief as vaccine approval approaches for kids under 12. Lana is joined to discuss the way forward, and how to deal with the ever-more-incorrigible anti-vax element, with Jinny Suh of Immunize Texas (and a candidate for Texas Land Commissioner), and Austin-area pediatrician Dr. Jyotika Kapur.

The Texas Blue Action Democrats organization, first launched in Southwest Austin, has become the new model of best practices when it comes to progressive grassroots community organizing in Texas, and is now a franchise that has spread across the state. How did it start, and what will be its future impact on Texas politics? Lana is joined by co-founder Carrie Collier-Brown, current board member Julie Oliver, and Progress Texas Executive Director (and Texas Blue Action member) Ed Espinoza.

Texas Democrats' heads are spinning after the close of the most egregious session yet (with no guarantee that it's over). Between every different kind of hateful legislation imaginable and blatantly racist redistricting designed to steal power for the GOP for the next decade, progressives in Texas might be inclined to lose hope - but it's NOT time to give up. State Reps James Talarico and Alex Dominguez join us for an inside look - and provide inspiring reasons to continue the fight for a better Texas.

What do young people of Texas want the political future of our state to look like? What do they want in candidates, policy and agency? This week we go straight to the source: three of the Lone Star State's most tireless young progressive advocates - Katya Ehresman, Jeffrey Clemmons and Ric Galvan - for a first hand account on the hopes, dreams and plans of the next generation.

We've come a long way, baby - but there's still a long way to go in Texas when it comes to a level playing field for progressive women running for office. From fundraising, to family expectations and social pressures, to career obligations - it's simply a different game for women. We welcome three candidates who've lived this struggle themselves: Candace Valenzuela, Akilah Bacy and Stephanie Phillips share their stories and hard-earned wisdom.

As Texas enacts Permitless Carry (there's nothing "Constitutional" about it), responsible Texans may be wondering not only how to stay safe in our communities, but how to fight back against this latest GOP delusion. Who better to consult than Shannon Watts, founder of Moms Demand Action, the most influential grassroots organization against gun violence in the United States.

The battle over masking in Texas schools continues on multiple fronts. This week we're joined for a discussion on Texas school masking policy and politics by Travis County Judge Andy Brown, Round Rock Board of Trustees member Tiffanie Harrison, Safe Schools For All Legal Director and Ground Game Texas Political Director Mike Siegel, and Dr. J.P. Santiago of Denton County.