INSIDER
U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar secures another term as criminal trial looms
Read full article: U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar secures another term as criminal trial loomsThe longtime Laredo congressman fended off Republican challenger Jay Furman despite a federal indictment accusing the incumbent of bribery and money laundering.
South Texas congressional races remain the most competitive — but this time Democrats are playing offense
Read full article: South Texas congressional races remain the most competitive — but this time Democrats are playing offenseThe same candidates will be running in Texas’ 15th and 34th Congressional Districts, though the presidential and Senate races could mix things up.
National Republicans target Henry Cuellar’s South Texas seat after indictment
Read full article: National Republicans target Henry Cuellar’s South Texas seat after indictmentThe move is a shift in strategy for Republicans who previously focused on other South Texas races even after federal authorities filed criminal charges against the Democrat.
Navy veteran Jay Furman will face indicted U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar in South Texas congressional race
Read full article: Navy veteran Jay Furman will face indicted U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar in South Texas congressional raceFurman won the Republican nomination in a runoff against Lazaro Garza. Cuellar’s criminal charges have suddenly made it a high-profile race.
After U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar’s indictment, why aren’t Republicans trying to flip his district?
Read full article: After U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar’s indictment, why aren’t Republicans trying to flip his district?Instead, Republicans are trying to tie Cuellar’s allegations of bribery and corruption to Democrats in other competitive races in South Texas.
Houston woman is third guilty plea in Henry Cuellar bribery case
Read full article: Houston woman is third guilty plea in Henry Cuellar bribery caseIrada Akhoundova pleaded guilty to facilitating a $60,000 payment to Imelda Cuellar, the congressman’s wife, that she believed would benefit Azerbaijan and its state-run oil company.
Former aide and consultant close to U.S. Rep. Cuellar plead guilty and agree to aid investigation
Read full article: Former aide and consultant close to U.S. Rep. Cuellar plead guilty and agree to aid investigationA top former aide to U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar and a political and business consultant have agreed to plead guilty to conspiring to help the Democratic congressman from Texas launder more than $200,000 in bribes and to assist prosecutors in a federal criminal investigation.
Texans in Congress stay silent on Cuellar indictment, unlike with Santos and Menendez before him
Read full article: Texans in Congress stay silent on Cuellar indictment, unlike with Santos and Menendez before himSome Texans called on Sen. Bob Menendez and former Rep. George Santos to resign amid their own scandals, but have been silent about the Laredo Democrat.
Rep. Henry Cuellar of Texas vows to continue his bid for an 11th term despite bribery indictment
Read full article: Rep. Henry Cuellar of Texas vows to continue his bid for an 11th term despite bribery indictmentDemocratic U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar of Texas and his wife have been indicted on conspiracy and bribery charges in connection with a federal probe into their ties with the former Soviet republic of Azerbaijan.
With indictment, U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar’s deep South Texas ties will again be tested
Read full article: With indictment, U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar’s deep South Texas ties will again be testedCuellar was expected to cruise to reelection. Now he’ll need to rely on support from local and national Democratic leaders to help him overcome scandal.
Democratic US Rep. Henry Cuellar of Texas and his wife are indicted over ties to Azerbaijan
Read full article: Democratic US Rep. Henry Cuellar of Texas and his wife are indicted over ties to AzerbaijanDemocratic U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar of Texas and his wife have been indicted on conspiracy and bribery charges in connection with a federal probe into their ties with the former Soviet republic of Azerbaijan.
After hotly contested 2022 primary, U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar works to mend relations with labor groups ahead of 2024
Read full article: After hotly contested 2022 primary, U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar works to mend relations with labor groups ahead of 2024The moderate South Texas Democrat has held meetings with union leaders and filed a labor-backed bill this month. But he still shares some disagreements with the movement.
Secret Service agents protecting Biden's granddaughter open fire when 3 people try to break into SUV
Read full article: Secret Service agents protecting Biden's granddaughter open fire when 3 people try to break into SUVSecret Service agents protecting President Joe Biden’s granddaughter opened fire after three people tried to break into an unmarked Secret Service vehicle in Washington.
Biden's movable wall is criticized by environmentalists and those who want more border security
Read full article: Biden's movable wall is criticized by environmentalists and those who want more border securityThe Biden administration’s plan to build new barriers along the U.S.-Mexico border in South Texas calls for a “movable” design that frustrates both environmentalists and advocates of stronger border enforcement.
Biden administration presses forward with border wall plans in Texas, angering allies
Read full article: Biden administration presses forward with border wall plans in Texas, angering alliesEven as the president says the barriers don’t work, his administration says it will waive environmental laws to build them quickly.
Republican challenging U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar seeks to have assault arrest expunged
Read full article: Republican challenging U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar seeks to have assault arrest expungedSanz was accused of throwing a chair at his sister. The case was dismissed after Sanz completed 36 sessions of batterer intervention and 12 hours of community service at a church.
Texas Republicans stuck with Kevin McCarthy, but it wasn’t enough to save him
Read full article: Texas Republicans stuck with Kevin McCarthy, but it wasn’t enough to save himIn January, some Republican Texans led the charge to challenge McCarthy’s leadership bid. But this time, all Texas Republicans who were present voted to save McCarthy and every U.S. House Democrat voted to remove him.
US Rep. Cuellar of Texas is back at work after being carjacked by 3 armed attackers near the Capitol
Read full article: US Rep. Cuellar of Texas is back at work after being carjacked by 3 armed attackers near the CapitolU.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar of Texas is back at work after being carjacked by three armed attackers less than a mile from the Capitol.
How would a government shutdown impact border, immigration courts?
Read full article: How would a government shutdown impact border, immigration courts?A government shutdown would not impact operations along our borders, but would mean tens of thousands of Border Patrol Agents and Officers with the Office of Field Operations would have to work without pay.
U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar’s former staffer running against him as a Republican
Read full article: U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar’s former staffer running against him as a RepublicanJose Sanz worked for the Democrat for two years, as his press secretary and then his district director. Sanz said he realized his values didn’t align with the incumbent’s.
Texans in U.S. House describe GOP in chaos ahead of likely government shutdown
Read full article: Texans in U.S. House describe GOP in chaos ahead of likely government shutdownTexas Democrats decry Republican infighting that has halted attempts to approve annual spending bills and avoid a federal government shutdown.
Rosie Cuellar to run for open state House seat in district that includes Uvalde
Read full article: Rosie Cuellar to run for open state House seat in district that includes UvaldeRosie Cuellar, former Webb County tax assessor and the sister of U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar, confirmed to The Texas Tribune on Thursday she intends to run in the Democratic primary for House District 80.
Henry Cuellar, a previous Democratic primary target, touts 2024 support from national party leaders
Read full article: Henry Cuellar, a previous Democratic primary target, touts 2024 support from national party leadersThe moderate Democrat from Laredo announced endorsements from top Democrats in the U.S. House, including Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries.
In U.S. House, the far right gains a powerful spending-cuts ally in Texas Republican Kay Granger
Read full article: In U.S. House, the far right gains a powerful spending-cuts ally in Texas Republican Kay GrangerThe chair of the House Appropriations Committee vows to hold spending bills to 2022 levels to counter “years of out-of-control spending.”
For a Texan who wants to build bridges in Congress, U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales has burned quite a few
Read full article: For a Texan who wants to build bridges in Congress, U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales has burned quite a fewThe two-term Republican, criticized by his own party for breaking with the GOP on key votes, is not inclined to change his ways.
A year after FBI raids Henry Cuellar’s home, no arrests and no answers
Read full article: A year after FBI raids Henry Cuellar’s home, no arrests and no answersOne year later, there have been no arrests or charges filed related to the case. Cuellar maintains that he was never the target of the investigation and will ultimately be cleared of wrongdoing.
US plans for more migrant releases when asylum limits end
Read full article: US plans for more migrant releases when asylum limits endThe Department of Homeland Security says more migrants may be released into the United States to pursue immigration cases when Trump-era asylum restrictions end next week.
Congressman Henry Cuellar wins reelection in South Texas despite shadow of FBI raid
Read full article: Congressman Henry Cuellar wins reelection in South Texas despite shadow of FBI raidThe 28th Congressional District race was one of three seats in South Texas where Republicans hoped to make gains in a region Democrats have long dominated.
South Texas, Abbott vs. O’Rourke, and Harris County: Here are the biggest things to watch for on election night
Read full article: South Texas, Abbott vs. O’Rourke, and Harris County: Here are the biggest things to watch for on election nightWhile the GOP focuses on the border and economy under President Joe Biden, Democrats are hoping to prove polls and political forecasters wrong by tapping into anger over the overturning of Roe v. Wade and the Uvalde school shooting.
Bill Clinton stumps in South Texas for Democrats ahead of Election Day
Read full article: Bill Clinton stumps in South Texas for Democrats ahead of Election DayClinton traveled to Laredo in the morning to stump for U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar and then went to the Rio Grande Valley to boost Michelle Vallejo, who is running for an open seat.
Republicans outraise Democrats in battle for South Texas congressional seats
Read full article: Republicans outraise Democrats in battle for South Texas congressional seatsThe three GOP candidates raked in a combined $4.3 million over the past three months, and their Democratic competitors got $2.4 million together, according to new campaign finance filings.
Henry Cuellar isn’t apologizing for being a moderate
Read full article: Henry Cuellar isn’t apologizing for being a moderateCuellar’s status as one of the few remaining “moderate” Democrats may be helping his fundraising, as he took in almost $4.9 million as of the end of June, smashing his usual pace for previous years.
AP, Texas Tribune and other newsrooms ask court to unseal Henry Cuellar search warrant
Read full article: AP, Texas Tribune and other newsrooms ask court to unseal Henry Cuellar search warrantThe Tribune and a host of news organizations are seeking records related to a January raid on U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar’s Laredo home.
Texas Dems uniformly vote for Biden’s cornerstone climate and health care legislation
Read full article: Texas Dems uniformly vote for Biden’s cornerstone climate and health care legislationThe bill would invest billions into issues acutely impacting Texas, including climate change and health care, and is the result of months of intraparty fighting between moderates and progressives.
US House to vote on Rep. Lizzie Fletcher’s bill to protect the right to seek an abortion out of state
Read full article: US House to vote on Rep. Lizzie Fletcher’s bill to protect the right to seek an abortion out of stateThe bill would also shield the rights of any person or group helping someone get an abortion out of state.
US official: Migrants who died cleared inland checkpoint
Read full article: US official: Migrants who died cleared inland checkpointA U.S. official says the tractor-trailer at the center of a disastrous human-smuggling attempt that left 53 people dead had passed through an inland U.S. Border Patrol checkpoint with migrants inside earlier in its journey.
EXPLAINER: Heat, humidity a perilous mix in migrant deaths
Read full article: EXPLAINER: Heat, humidity a perilous mix in migrant deathsAn expert says the combination of heat and humidity would have quickly created life-threatening conditions inside the packed, un-airconditioned tractor-trailer where dozens of migrants were found dead this week.
51 migrants die after trailer abandoned in San Antonio heat
Read full article: 51 migrants die after trailer abandoned in San Antonio heatDesperate families of migrants from Mexico and Central America are seeking word of their loved ones as authorities begin identifying 51 people who died after being abandoned in a tractor-trailer without air conditioning in the sweltering Texas heat.
Death toll now at 51 in suspected migrant smuggling operation near San Antonio, Mexican president says
Read full article: Death toll now at 51 in suspected migrant smuggling operation near San Antonio, Mexican president saysMexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador said the death toll had risen to 50 Tuesday morning after several people were found dead and 16 others were taken to hospitals following the discovery of a tractor-trailer rig used in a suspected migrant smuggling operation Monday.
Henry Cuellar wins Democratic primary to keep his South Texas congressional seat, recount finds
Read full article: Henry Cuellar wins Democratic primary to keep his South Texas congressional seat, recount findsA separate recount found that Michelle Vallejo won the party’s nomination for another congressional seat.
Jessica Cisneros, Ruben Ramirez demand recounts in two close-call South Texas runoff races
Read full article: Jessica Cisneros, Ruben Ramirez demand recounts in two close-call South Texas runoff racesThe state Democratic Party confirmed Monday that Ramirez’s opponent, Michelle Vallejo, won by a slim margin.
With 33-vote lead, Michelle Vallejo declares victory in South Texas congressional runoff
Read full article: With 33-vote lead, Michelle Vallejo declares victory in South Texas congressional runoffHer opponent Ruben Ramirez is not conceding, saying the race is still too close to call. Counties have to submit final vote counts by end of day Thursday.
Cuellar, Cisneros runoff in Texas is too close to call
Read full article: Cuellar, Cisneros runoff in Texas is too close to callThe Texas primary runoff between Democratic U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar and his progressive challenger, Jessica Cisneros, was too close to call Wednesday, more than a week after the election.
Two critical Democratic runoffs in South Texas remain too close to call. Here’s what comes next.
Read full article: Two critical Democratic runoffs in South Texas remain too close to call. Here’s what comes next.U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-Laredo, is leading his challenger, Jessica Cisneros, by 177 votes, while the margin is even smaller in the 15th Congressional District, where Michelle Vallejo is ahead of Ruben Ramirez for the open seat.
Moderate Democrats win two key South Texas runoffs, while another is too close to call
Read full article: Moderate Democrats win two key South Texas runoffs, while another is too close to callU.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar’s too-close-to-call runoff got most of the attention, but three other primary runoffs Tuesday carried big stakes for Democrats as they try to defend South Texas from a new GOP offensive.
Trump rebuked with stinging losses in Georgia GOP contests
Read full article: Trump rebuked with stinging losses in Georgia GOP contestsGov. Brian Kemp of Georgia has easily dispatched Donald Trump’s hand-picked challenger in a Republican primary that demonstrated the limits of the former president and his conspiracy-fueled politics in a critical swing state.
Greene, McBath win US House races; Cuellar in tight runoff
Read full article: Greene, McBath win US House races; Cuellar in tight runoffOne of the last anti-abortion Democrats in Congress was facing his toughest primary challenge yet in Tuesday's runoff, while a staunch gun safety advocate ousted her House colleague in a fierce member-on-member congressional primary in suburban Atlanta.
End of the Bush era? Democratic men in trouble? 5 things to watch during Texas’ primary runoffs
Read full article: End of the Bush era? Democratic men in trouble? 5 things to watch during Texas’ primary runoffsTuesday’s elections will solidify the major parties’ statewide tickets and have national political implications.
2022 midterms: What to watch in Texas, Georgia, elsewhere
Read full article: 2022 midterms: What to watch in Texas, Georgia, elsewhereGeorgia takes center stage in Tuesday’s primary elections as Gov. Brian Kemp and Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger try to fight back challengers endorsed by Donald Trump.
In rematch, Jessica Cisneros faces a weakened Henry Cuellar for South Texas congressional seat
Read full article: In rematch, Jessica Cisneros faces a weakened Henry Cuellar for South Texas congressional seatAn FBI raid on his home before the primary and a threat to Roe v. Wade. Henry Cuellar is heading into the primary runoff election more vulnerable than ever before.
South Texas Democrats fight to shape their party’s future in primary runoffs
Read full article: South Texas Democrats fight to shape their party’s future in primary runoffsDemocratic primary runoffs for two congressional districts and two legislative seats in South Texas highlight the candidates’ divergent visions for the party in a region the GOP is heavily targeting.
Texas Democrats hope threat to Roe v. Wade will energize their voters ahead of the midterm election
Read full article: Texas Democrats hope threat to Roe v. Wade will energize their voters ahead of the midterm electionDemocrats are hopeful that the looming threat of such a stunning political sea change could provide the strongest opportunity yet to energize their voters heading into an election year in which Republicans have been expected to dominate in Texas and beyond.
Campaigning for Henry Cuellar, a Democratic U.S. House leader says party shouldn’t shun abortion opponents
Read full article: Campaigning for Henry Cuellar, a Democratic U.S. House leader says party shouldn’t shun abortion opponentsHouse Majority Whip Jim Clyburn visited Texas to stump for Cuellar this week ahead of his runoff race. The trip fell two days after Politico published a leaked draft opinion from the U.S. Supreme Court that favors overturning Roe v. Wade.
House leaders stick with Rep. Cuellar despite abortion stand
Read full article: House leaders stick with Rep. Cuellar despite abortion standJust a day after Democrats recommitted to protecting abortion rights, a U.S. House leader on Wednesday campaigned in Texas alongside Rep. Henry Cuellar, one of the last anti-abortion Democrats in Congress.
Democrats are in danger of losing three congressional strongholds in South Texas
Read full article: Democrats are in danger of losing three congressional strongholds in South TexasThe seats in question are held by U.S. Reps. Henry Cuellar of Laredo and Vicente Gonzalez of McAllen. A third vacant seat recently belonged to Filemon Vela of Brownsville, who stepped down to take a private sector lobbying job.
Greg Abbott’s call for more vehicle inspections at the border is causing delays and supply chain issues, locals say
Read full article: Greg Abbott’s call for more vehicle inspections at the border is causing delays and supply chain issues, locals sayTrucks delivering products from Mexico are facing hourslong waits at ports of entry.
Texas’ Henry Cuellar one of two Democrats to vote against landmark marijuana legalization bill
Read full article: Texas’ Henry Cuellar one of two Democrats to vote against landmark marijuana legalization billThe bill faces stiff headwinds in the Senate, where it would require 60 votes to pass. A similar measure the House passed in 2020 failed in the upper chamber.
Nancy Pelosi affirms support for U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar after FBI raid, primary runoff berth
Read full article: Nancy Pelosi affirms support for U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar after FBI raid, primary runoff berthThe U.S. House speaker said during a stop Wednesday in Austin that she always supports her incumbents — “from right to left.”
Republicans more than doubled turnout in the Rio Grande Valley compared with the last midterm primary
Read full article: Republicans more than doubled turnout in the Rio Grande Valley compared with the last midterm primaryDemocrats in the region still had higher turnout, but Republicans celebrated the narrowing of the gap. Despite the improvement, nearly 87% of registered voters in the Rio Grande Valley did not vote in the primary, similar to the rate in 2018.
Greg Casar, Jessica Cisneros and Jasmine Crockett, young progressive candidates for Congress, want to push Texas leftward
Read full article: Greg Casar, Jessica Cisneros and Jasmine Crockett, young progressive candidates for Congress, want to push Texas leftwardRedistricting has empowered activists of both parties to push platforms further right or left. Progressives view three key Democrats’ advancements in the Texas primary election as a potential turning point for their movement.
Biden risks progressives, Blacks with pivot to the center
Read full article: Biden risks progressives, Blacks with pivot to the centerPresident Joe Biden is signaling an election year shift to the center to help protect fragile Democratic majorities in Congress, even as key voices across his party’s sprawling political coalition threaten revolt.
Will an FBI raid boost Laredo progressive Jessica Cisneros’ bid to unseat U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar?
Read full article: Will an FBI raid boost Laredo progressive Jessica Cisneros’ bid to unseat U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar?Cisneros came within 4 percentage points of unseating the moderate Cuellar in 2020. He seemed better prepared to fend her off in 2022 — until the FBI raided his office.
TribCast: FBI raid at U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar’s house shakes up his primary
Read full article: TribCast: FBI raid at U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar’s house shakes up his primaryOn this week’s episode, Matthew speaks with Abby and Karen about U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar’s legal situation and whether the omicron wave is receding.
Analysis: For a few Texas politicians, a bad time for bad news
Read full article: Analysis: For a few Texas politicians, a bad time for bad newsFor three of the state’s most experienced politicians, bad news comes with the territory. But bad news in the critical stages of an election is another, more serious, kind of trouble.
FBI raid portends political and legal challenges for U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar
Read full article: FBI raid portends political and legal challenges for U.S. Rep. Henry CuellarOn Wednesday, the FBI raided the nine-term congressman’s home in Laredo. It could not come at a worse time for Cuellar, who is in the fight of his political life ahead of the Democratic primary on March 1.
FBI confirm search near Texas home of US Rep. Henry Cuellar
Read full article: FBI confirm search near Texas home of US Rep. Henry CuellarFBI agents have conducted a search near U_S_ Rep_ Henry Cuellar's home in Texas as they conducted what an FBI spokeswoman called “court-authorized law enforcement activity.”.