Texas Signal Podcast: Recent Episodes
Texas Signal
Texas Signal is a progressive, fact-based media company. Our mission is to build a first-of-its-kind media ecosystem in Texas to help get the progressive message out. Think of us a megaphone to finally counterbalance right-wing conservatives who have successfully built their own media empire in the Lone Star State.
In addition, there are many more progressive stories to tell than mainstream media has the bandwidth to handle.
Our political and policy content is edgy but fact-driven across all of our products. Credibility is our currency.
Ramiro Luna-Hinojosa from Somos Tejas joins us to break down the biggest races and surprises from the primary election.
This week we have a jam-packed special episode with our friend Ed Espinoza from Progress Texas. Ed is helping us break down some of the biggest races on the ballot as we all get ready to head out to vote!
The ballot is set and the candidates are on their marks. And the biggest mark of all, Gov. Greg Abbott, is taking fire from the right and left over his failure to secure the grid.
The ballot is set and the candidates are on their marks. And the biggest mark of all, Gov. Greg Abbott, is taking fire from the right and left over his failure to secure the grid.
We discuss some last-minute filings in key state races, a sobering new investigation into what’s happening to troops at the border, and where did Sid Miller’s Borat 2 appearance go?
From abortion to vaccines the GOP continues to oppose public health measures in the name of being “pro-life.”
There are many turkeys in Texas politics that won’t get pardoned this year but that doesn’t mean we don’t have some things to be thankful for.
We discuss: Ted Cruz has an angry bird on his tail and Louie Gohmert flirts with disaster.
Progressives see the silver lining on Election Night and Gov. Abbott continues his slide to the far right.
The Texas GOP banned trans kids from sports, mask and vaccine mandates in schools, and now they are coming for the books.
Austin CM Greg Casar has been a nemesis of the regressive GOP state legislature who often takes direct aim at his policy agenda — now he's looking to go over their heads in Congress.
Both men continue their anti-democratic efforts from appointing a Trump legal team member as top elections official to pushing Trump's statewide audit election request.
Texas GOP has been busy gerrymandering election maps but Donald Trump says Republicans aren't voting in 2022 if 2020 election "fraud" isn't "solved."
Donald Trump is adding to the pile-on of Gov. Abbott but he's also now endorsing in the GOP primary for Texas Senate.
Texas Republicans barred cities from reducing Police funding and yet "Save Austin Now" falsely claims Prop A is needed to adequately fund the department.
Texas Republicans claim to be "race-blind" yet they managed to reduce black and brown representation even people of color represented 95% of the state's growth.
From Fox News to Donald Trump, from the border to Beto O'Rourke it's been a week of very bad news for Texas Governor Greg Abbott.
We discuss how Texas' abortion ban and poor handling of COVID was a big factor in the failed recall of California Gov. Gavin Newsom.
We discuss the proposed I-35 expansion project from segregation to how we can "stitch our city back together" with the right plan in this special edition of the SignalCast.
Gov. Abbott sparked rage across the political spectrum when he tried to ban abortion but said it's OK for victims of rape to do so before six weeks. He also showed he needed a lesson in human reproduction.
In this week’s episode Joe and Jessica discuss Abbott’s falling approval rating, the latest on the new extreme bills. and Joe Rogan’s horse dewormer endorsement.
The bills Republicans managed to get passed this session are a right-wing fever dream and yet they still weren't satisfied. They came back to further make life harder for women and people of color during this special session.
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick falsely blames black people and Democrats for Texas' low vaccination rates and GOP plows ahead with their voter suppression bill
Salman Bhojani, the former Mayor Pro-Tem of Euless, Texas, is challenging Sen. Kelly Hancock for SD 9. With bipartisan support, he's focused on the fight to regain local control.
As Democrats trickle back Republicans are able to make quorum to pass voter suppression, anti-abortion, anti-trans, and COVID precaution legislation.
Gov. Abbott is being sued by virtually every local government over his ban on mask and vaccine mandates.
We break down the latest twists and turns of the Texas Democrats quorum break and the fight against Gov Abbott's consolidation of power.
As a surge in COVID overtakes Texas hospitals, Gov. Abbott did the worst thing possible — he took legal measures from local governments to contain the spread of the virus.
Another day another executive order from Gov. Abbott that blocks local governments from implementing mask or vaccine mandates, or capacity limits for businesses.
Greg Abbott received a $1M donation from the largest profiteer of the winter storm, meanwhile his quest to suppress voting access continues.
With Joe Deshotel off this week, Jessica Montoya Coggins and David Leffler discuss the conversations they've had with a number of Democratic representatives about their fight to pass federal voting rights legislation.
We chat with State Representative Joe Deshotel about what Democrats plan to discuss with US senators about protecting American voting rights.
Gov. Abbott continues to campaign on taxpayer dollars while holding the salaries of over 2,000 families hostage to his right-wing agenda.
As Texas GOP Chair Allen West enters the race for Governor we discuss what's on the special session agenda, what CPAC is, and get an inside view of how capitol staffers feel about being defunded.
Texas Democrats reach 80% vaccination while GOP allows variants to persist. VP Harris comes to the border and Trump follows behind to see the wall he never built.
Greg Abbott says he backs the blue but cuts funding for crime prevention and law enforcement, says he supports family values, and vetos anti-domestic violence and child abuse legislation. What gives?
It's voter intimidation and retribution vs voter inspiration: We compare and contrast a week of Gov. Abbott's temper tantrum with Beto's tour for voting rights. Plus, when to expect the next big fight.
What does gun deregulation, voter suppression, use of force, historical revision all have in common? They are the Jim Crow-era tactics for the modern GOP.
The Texas Democratic Party launches an aggressive campaign to register 2 million new voters and Beto makes his way across the state as the GOP turns barbs to each other.
Texas Democrats vow to continue to fight against SB 7 as GOP leaders take aim at each other and Gov. Abbott threatens to defund the legislature.
Welcome to an all-new episode of SignalCast! The Signal's Joe Deshotel and David Leffler discuss how Texas Democrats broke quorum and killed the Republican voter suppression bill and now they are organizing.
As the legislative session comes to a close Dan Patrick calls for an immediate special session to pass anti-transgender, anti-local control and other conservative "priority" bills.
With Austin's Prop B passed, GOP backers move to next line of attack on the City of Austin — police funding.
Gov. Abbott signs 6-week abortion ban, bans mask mandates and ends federal unemployment boost.
Welcome to this week's episode of SignalCast! Signal's Joe Deshotel and Jessica Montoya Coggins discuss the past week's biggest stories in the state, including the busy week in the Texas legislature.
Welcome to SignalCast! This week, we discuss the events at the Texas Capitol, including a six-week abortion ban, permitless carry, and sweeping voter suppression legislation.
Welcome to another episode of SignalCast! In this week’s roundup, we look into numerous topics, including Trump backing Susan Wright and Election Day, and the latest reforms passed in the House and Senate.
Welcome to another episode of SignalCast!
Signal's Joe Deshotel and Jessica Montoya-Coggins discuss the busy week in state politics, including the Texas legislature, the race for Texas governor, and the polls coming out about how Texans feel about the budget, guns and a number of other issues.
In this special episode of SignalCast, Signal's Joe Deshotel is joined by contributor David Leffler to discuss elections that are happening right now in the state, particularly Austin—breaking down all the propositions in discussion that can affect the average voter and overall voter turnout.
Joe Deshotel and Jessica Montoya-Coggins discuss a slate of bad bills that went before the Texas legislature, including concealed carry, anti-trans sports legislation, and a lot more.
Welcome to a special episode of SignalCast! We are joined today by Austin-native Genevieve Van Cleve, the Texas State Director of ALL on the Line, a national organization and advocacy arm of the National Democratic Redistricting Committee. The organization looks at how census data and gerrymandering play into voting rights.
Welcome to another episode of SignalCast! Signal's Joe Deshotel and Jessica Montoya-Coggins cover the following topics:
- Voter suppression — HB 6 moves to the floor, anti-voter suppression presser in Dallas at AT&T and the broader movement to get corporations to oppose restrictions including American Airlines
- 10 Marijuana bills, Dan Patrick says they are dead he opposes legalization
- Vax — Texas moves up to 45th past Arkansas
- GOP healthcare priorities do not include Medicaid expansion
- Beto... Will he or won’t he?
- George P. Bush considering a run against Paxton
- Congress allocated $19 billion in federal stimulus money to Texas public education, but schools have yet to see an extra dime
- The Texas Legislature’s budget writers have left more than $38 billion in federal COVID-19 relief out of the budgets they’re writing, as they try to sort through the details and the politics attached to that money
- According to a legislative report, of the 176,000 people who have begun applications for rental assistance, just more than 1,000
Welcome to a special episode of SignalCast! We are joined this week by Cliff Walker and Manny Garcia, former executive members of the Texas Democratic Party. In conversation with Signal's Joe Deshotel, our guests discuss the 2020 election, the state of the party and the lessons learned while proceeding forward in turning Texas blue.
- Introduction: Cliff Walker and Manny Garcia — how long have you been involved in Democratic Party politics and what have you been up to since the Election? What has the transition away from the party been like?
- State of the Party — over the last decade, the 2020 cycle and moving forward...
- Turning Texas Blue — what will it take? When will it happen?
- Candidate recruitment — where, how, what
- Messaging and branding — what have we learned, what are we doing well and not well
- What’s next for you and how can folks stay in touch?
In this special edition episode, we are debuting a new series called "What it's Like to be a Texas Democrat From," and this case, West Texas. This week our guest is John Mark Hogg, who will discuss his new pac, The 134 Pac, which focuses on Democrats in West Texas.
Welcome to another episode of SignalCast, where we look at the week's events. And yes, it was a BUSY week:
- HB6 — Briscoe Cain Chair and author screws up hearing; and Beto, and 100s of others ready to testify
- Ken Paxton — won’t release texts and emails related to trip to DC on Jan 6th for Trump rally
- Greg Abbott — championing alcohol to go; also gun rights in wake of mass shootings
- Governor’s race: Steve Hotze and Sid Miller sue Dan Patrick over Senate protocols; and Joe Straus doesn’t rule out run...says he voted for Biden
- Border issue: ? Ted Cruz heading — post-election report with Cambio
- What’s up with Cornyn? On Appointments
- COVID-19 updates — all adults 16+ eligible and white Republicans refuse anyway
Welcome to another weekly roundup with Texas Signal! In this episode, Joe Deshotel and Jessica Montoya-Coggins discuss the following topics:
- PUC Chair caught on tape resigns, now zero commissioners remaining
- Dan Patrick putting pressure on re: ERCOT appointees and price adjustment
- Abbott’s Statewide press tour, regarding Houston for voter suppression bills and Dallas to blame migrant children for COVID
- McConaughey criticized mask mandate removal
- Ken Paxton and the bill that would expand powers re: abuse of office which is the thing he’s accused of and going through his wife’s committee
- Art Acevedo leaves Houston for Miami
- Anti-Asian violence; Chip Roy’s recent remarks — Signal Gubernatorial Bracket
Welcome to another episode of SignalCast. This week Joe Deshotel and Jessica Montoya-Coggins discuss a ton of topics from COVID-19 to Matthew McConaughey, including:
- Abbott and the removal of the mask mandate
- Beto's exclusive Signal op-ed about winning Texas
- Ken Paxton
- Seeing Twitter and Twitter seeing
- Suing Austin over a mask mandate
- Matthew McConaughey — will he or won't he?, and
- The Eyes of Texas
Signal's Joe Deshotel and Jessica Montoya-Coggins discuss the week's news, including:
- Abbott's mask mandate repeal and opening Texas 100 percent
- ErCOT CEO fired. PUC chair resigned Dan Patrick took credit
- Sid Miller attacks Abbott. Is he running for governor?
- Ken Paxton in court. Judge trying to dismiss abuse of office suit. Judge Meachum said can proceed.
- Dr. Ronny Jackson accused of being an abusive boss and drinking on the job.
- HR1 passed / Texas lege targeting all night voting in Harris Co.
Such a busy week in Texas politics! The Signal's Joe Deshotel and Jessica Montoya-Coggins break it down, covering topics like the effects of the Texas winter storm, AOC and Biden coming to Houston, and Ken Paxton and Greg Abbott trying to sound sincere as a form of damage control.
In this week's episode, host Joe Deshotel and Guest Opinions Editor Jessica Montoya-Coggins discuss the many ways the Texas GOP is making our state proud, including a maskless Ted Cruz and Louie Gohmert at the former president's impeachment trial, to avoiding COVID-19 protocol at the Capitol.
In our latest episode of SignalCast, three of our Texas Signal members—Jessica Montoya-Coggins, Joe Bowen and Joe Deshotel—discuss the current Texas legislative session: what to expect and the changes in the session because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In our final episode for the week, Signal contributor Joe Deshotel interviews Abhi Rahman, Director of Strategic Communications for the Texas Democratic Party, about the incredible turnout in the first week of early voting for the state of Texas.
In another special episode of SignalCast, Senior Advisor Joe Bowen and Signal contributor Joe Deshotel are joined by Senior Brand Manager for the Texas Democratic Party Brittany Switzer to discuss another day of record turnout in the early voting period for Texas.
We are excited to bring you the first episode of 3 Righteous Mamas, a podcast in which three all-American moms—queer, Latina and Muslim—share the joy and challenges of motherhood with each other, and develop a passion for seeking out and lifting up the stories of mamas across the country.
In this special episode of SignalCast, Senior Advisor Joe Bowen and Signal contributor Joe Deshotel are joined by Communications Director for Texas Democratic Party Abhi Rahman to discuss the record turnout in the early voting period for Texas.
In this special episode, Signal staff members Joe Bowen, Jessica Montoya Coggins and Joe Deshotel discuss the latest accusations against Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton—just last week, seven members of his staff accused him of criminal wrongdoing and even bribery.
For National Voter Registration Day, our very own contributing writer Joe Deshotel spoke with Alex Simon from the TDP about their three target voter groups, and the groundbreaking efforts to drive voters to the polls, including vote by mail.
Our very own contributing writer Joe Deshotel spoke with Brittany Switzer from the TDP, about the Democratic National Convention, the nominees and the events planned on behalf of the party in the state.
Our very own contributing writer Jessica Montoya Coggins spoke to the new Spanish Press Secretary with the Texas Democratic Party, Rafael Benavides, about his role at the party, feedback he has received from the Texas Latino community about effects of COVID-19 and how to engage Latino voters and Bernie supporters for the upcoming November elections.
In this episode, Signal contributor Joe Deshotel interviews the brand manager of the Texas Democratic Party Britney Switzer, in which they discuss the disastrous GOP convention, the handling of the COVID-19 pandemic in the state and the TDP initiatives underway for the November elections.
In this episode, first Signal reporter Fernando Ramirez talks to Democratic Congressional candidate Gina Ortiz Jones, who is running in district 23, which is currently occupied by retiring congressman Will Hurd.
Next, Fernando speaks with Democratic candidate for district 25, Julie Oliver, about her motivations for running, how the coronavirus pandemic has affected campaigning and her opponent Roger Williams.
Finally, we look at our biggest story online this week concerning how the ACLU is joining a lawsuit that will allow Texans to vote by mail.
First, Signal reporter William Kim speaks with Texas Signal candidate Royce West about his runoff with fellow candidate MJ Hegar, his strengths as a candidate and the state of politics today.
Then Signal reporter Fernando Ramirez talks Olivia Stitilis, Organizing Director for the Texas Democratic Party, about their new program to organize voting efforts in the state.
And finally, we take a look at one of our top stories this week regarding how Texas Democrats are urging Gov. Abbott to implement a stay-at-home order.
In this week's episode, first Signal reporter Fernando Ramirez talks to Democratic candidate MJ Hegar about reaching the runoff for her race, Cornyn's leadership, and her plans as potential senator of Texas.
Then Fernando speaks with Texas politics veteran Michelle Leal about the lack of proper management within the state.
And finally, a new Housecleaning segment in which we look at the race in House District 126, where Republican incumbent Sam Harless is facing off against Democratic candidate Natali Hurtado.
In this week’s episode, senior Signal consultant Keir Murray first talks to former El Paso Congressman and presidential hopeful Beto O Rourke about the Texas senate race and the lack of proper leadership regarding the coronavirus.
Then Signal reporter Fernando Ramirez speaks with Nick Wertsch, a Houston staff attorney and policy coordinator for Worker’s Defense Project, about the importance of paid sick leave in Texas.
And finally, a new edition of our segment Housekeeping, in which we look at House District 66, where Democratic opponent Sharon Hirsch is running against Republican incumbent Matt Shaheen.
In this episode, Signal reporter Fernando Ramirez speaks with Wendy Davis, Congressional candidate for district 21, about her victory on Super Tuesday and now running against her Republican opponent Chip Roy.
Then podcast producer Sarah Taqvi talks to Cliff Walker and Abhi Rahman from the Texas Democratic Party about the group's new lawsuit on voting rights and last week's primary.
Finally, Signal reporter William Kim and longtime Democratic consultant Keir Murray discuss in detail how Democrats did in the state on Super Tuesday.
In this week’s episode, we have three interviews:
First, Texas Signal CEO Kevin Nix talks to Michelle Leal, a diversity and inclusion consultant and former co-chair of Latino Texas Pac, about Latino outreach in the state.
Then Signal Reporter Fernando Ramirez speaks with Jay Aiyer, an adjunct professor of politics at the University of Houston Downtown, about the Democratic primaries for the 2020 presidential election.
And finally, Kevin Nix talks to Texas State Representative Rafael Anchia about turning Texas blue and endorsing former Vice President Joe Biden.
In this week’s episode of SignalCast, senior Signal members Kevin Nix and Keir Murray discuss Wednesday’s Democratic debate in Nevada, and the current state of Texas races and early voting. Then in our newest edition of the segment Housecleaning, we will focus on House district 54, where freshman Republican Brad Buckley is running against Democratic opponent Keke Williams.
This week, we spoke to Brandon Rottinghaus, professor at Univeristy of Houston and co-host of Party Politics, a podcast on Houston Public Media, about the Democratic presidential primary in TX.
Then we go deep into health care with Vivian Ho, an economics professor with the Baker Institute at Rice University.
And finally we target the Texas legislature with some housecleaning, this week targeting State Representative Matt Krauss in district 93.
In this week's episode, Signal reporter Fernando Ramirez first talks to Antonio Arellano, who is currently leading Jolt Action, a civic engagement organization for Latino progressives in Texas.
Then Fernando speaks with Kirsten Myers, the area director for refugee services of Texas, about the mission of the organization, the misconceptions about refugees, and Governor Abbott’s rejection of refugee resettlement in Texas.
And finally, an all-new segment called HouseKeeping, where we will focus on a Texas State House district targeted for Democratic pick-up every week.
On this week’s show, the Signal sat down with Tim O’Brien, senior advisor to Democratic presidential candidate and "pragmatic progressive" Michael Bloomberg. Team Bloomberg is making Texas a critical component of its strategy.
In another packed episode of SignalCast, we have conversations with:
- Eliz Markowitz, a candidate running for the Texas House seat in district 28
- MJ Hegar, a candidate for U.S. Senate against John Cornyn, and
- Keir Murray, a longtime Democratic consultant, about the upcoming House races in the state
In this episode, we have three interviews. The first is with Heather Fazio, the Director of Texans for Responsible Marijuana Policy. Next is a conversation with Texas congressional candidate for District-2, Sima Ladjevardian, who is running against GOP Rep. Dan Crenshaw. And finally, we speak with Nate Levin, the Deputy Training Director of the Texas Democratic Party, about their extensive Staff the Movement initiative.
In this episode of SignalCast, we hand the hosting duties over to Lillie Schechter, chair of the Harris County Democratic Party. Here is her conversation with Wendy Davis, who's running for Congress in 2020.
Join us in our conversation with Kolby Duhon from Texas Young Democrats and William Kim, our senior impeachment correspondent about this week's events.
This week we talk impeachment, Rick Perry's big move, and what Texas Democrats can be thankful for. We're joined by Brittany Switzer from the TDP.
Join us in conversation with Abhi Rahman, Director of Strategic Communications at the Texas Democratic Party, about day one of the impeachment hearings of Trump and his administration, the current state of affairs with Senator Cornyn and candidate finances.
We also provide context to the hearings and what today's revelations could mean for the future.
In this episode of SignalCast, we recap the latest—and fourth—Democratic Debate of 2019, discuss the Bonnen recording that was released earlier this week, Trump impeachment, and upcoming dates to remember.
Keep a lookout for the TX Senate forum—hosted by Texas Signal—and featuring five Democratic candidates on October 23. Also, be alert for voting deadlines, as early voting starts on October 21!
We get a recap from The Texas Democratic Party from their wildly successful fundraising dinner last weekend and where things stand on Trump’s impeachment inquiry.
During the Texas Tribune Festival, we spoke with two guests on the current state—and future!—of elections in Texas and the national stage.
First guest: Lauren Pully from Texas Democratic Party and Texas House Rep. Joe Deshotel.