As the Texas Republican convention kicks off today, DNC spokesperson Cameron Niven released the following statement:

“The only thing that might compete with Texas Republicans’ extremism is their dysfunction. When Lone Star Republicans aren’t infighting and backstabbing, they’re stripping away women’s rights, spewing dangerous rhetoric, and competing to be Trump’s Number one minion. This year, as Trump’s staunchest MAGA lackeys descend on San Antonio, it only serves as an unwelcome reminder to Texans that the MAGA GOP is more interested in propping up Trump’s campaign of revenge and retribution than they are in  doing what’s right for Texas families.”

The Texas GOP is bogged down in scandal, extremism, and financial woes. As outgoing extremist Matt Rinaldi vacates the Chair, a race to replace him is quickly becoming a race to the bottom. From domestic violence charges to pledges to abolish all abortions, these candidates come from the bottom of the barrel.

Texas Tribune: “Texas GOP chair candidate (Abraham George) tried to confront wife’s alleged lover with a loaded gun, police say”

KERA: “Personal, political drama haunt Collin County’s Abraham George in battle for state GOP chair”

Texas Tribune: “‘The house is on fire’: Texas GOP plots its next chapter amid civil war, depleted staff, funding drops”

Texas Standard: “Infighting threatens to overshadow Texas Republican Party at this year’s state GOP convention”

NPR: “In the red state of Texas, Republican infighting is entering a new chapter”

Axios: “Inside the Texas GOP’s primary revenge tour”

Politico: “Fighting the GOP Civil War, Texas Style”

For the Texas Republican Party, banning abortion isn’t enough – these extremists are willing to give an audience to Nazis and those seeking the death penalty for women who pursue IVF and abortions. 

The New Republic: “The anti-abortion movement in Texas has adjusted course—and it’s headed toward putting abortion and IVF patients on death row.”

“Leaked video footage of an Abolish Abortion Texas function shows Hood County Republican Party officials in attendance at a meeting supporting the death penalty for women and minors who seek out either procedure. The meeting took place in January, but the video was only shared to X (formerly Twitter) last week”.

Newsweek: “Texas GOP Meets Group Suggesting Death Penalty for Women Who Seek Abortions”

Texas Tribune: “Texas GOP executive committee rejects proposed ban on associating with Nazi sympathizers and Holocaust deniers”

Axios Dallas: “Texas GOP rejects ban on associating with Nazi sympathizers”

The Guardian: “Members of Texas Republican party free to associate with Nazi sympathizers”

Some of Trump’s most extreme MAGA minions will gather at the Texas GOP convention, including Sen. Ted Cruz, Rep. Matt Gaetz, Governor Greg Abbott, Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, and Attorney General Ken Paxton.

The Independent: “Matt Gaetz invokes Trump’s infamous call to Proud Boys at trial: “Stand back and stand by.”

Dan Patrick: “Abortion will be banned in Texas if the U.S. Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade.”

ABC 25: “Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has confirmed that Texas will outlaw abortion should the Supreme Court overturn Roe V. Wade this summer.”

CNN: “Texas lieutenant governor blames abortions and violent video games for school shootings, but not guns”

Austin American Statesman: “Patrick dropped the push for background checks that could’ve saved Texans’ lives”

Reuters: “Texas AG threatens to prosecute doctors in emergency abortion”

The Guardian: “The Texas attorney general, Ken Paxton, has threatened to prosecute any doctor who provides an abortion to Kate Cox, a woman with a non-viable pregnancy, advising hospitals to ignore a court order issued on Thursday allowing her to get the procedure.”

Texas Tribune: “Texas Gov. Greg Abbott on Wednesday signed into law a bill that would almost immediately outlaw abortions in Texas if a court ruling or constitutional amendment gave states the authority to prohibit the procedure. … The so-called trigger bill would take effect 30 days after an applicable court ruling. Texas doctors could face life in prison or $100,000 fines if they perform abortions, under the ban. There is no exception for women at risk of suicide or self-harm, pregnant as a result of rape or incest, or in the case of severe or potentially lethal fetal abnormalities.”

Houston Chronicle: “Ted Cruz campaign says he doesn’t get paid to podcast. IHeartMedia gave $630K to a PAC backing him.”

Texas Monthly: “The Senator’s “Free” Podcasting Gig Has Paid $630,000 to a Political Action Committee That Backs Him”

Daily Beast: “Ted Cruz Flips Out When Confronted Over Sketchy Podcast Deal”

New York Intelligencer: “Ted Cruz Abandons Millions of Freezing Texans and His Poodle, Snowflake”

Washington Post: “Sen. Ted Cruz faces storm of controversy for flying to Cancun as Texas grapples with power outages caused by severe weather”

Texas Tribune: “U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz returned to Texas on Thursday and expressed regret for his trip to Cancún, Mexico after being chastised by both Republicans and Democrats for leaving his state as it buckles under the severe effects of a devastating winter storm.”