Blaise Gainey

For NPR News, I'm Blaise Gainey in Austin.

The two candidates have made a name for themselves in their respective chambers, but also across the country through social media.

Both have had viral moments, and this debate is likely to offer more.

Talia Stroud, the director of the Center for Media Engagement at the University of Texas, says those trendy clips are needed for candidates.

Being social media famous has another bonus.

It's much cheaper than paying for a TV ad.

For NPR News, I'm Blaise Gainey.

The battle over which map Texans will use for the 2026 midterm elections had an impact that spread nationwide.

Republicans came out victorious with this ruling.

Their new map will likely give the GOP five additional seats.

Texas House Democratic Leader Gene Wu led a quorum break with lawmakers staying out of state to delay the map's passage.

He says the move sends a message.

The Supreme Court allowing the maps to stand essentially means that what protections we have for voting, for communities, for people without as much power and without as much voice is over.

The ruling will also shake up which candidates decide to run in Texas.

Austin Congressman Lloyd Doggett has said he won't run again if these maps were in place.

He is yet to make that official.

For NPR News, I'm Blaise Gainey in Austin.

The battle over which map Texans will use for the 2026 midterm elections had an impact that spread nationwide.

Republicans came out victorious with this ruling.

Their new map will likely give the GOP five additional seats.