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New York Post
a day ago
- Politics
- New York Post
Beto O'Rourke weighing up Senate run after three election defeats as he calls on Dems to be ‘ruthless'
Former Texas Rep. Beto O'Rourke is still weighing up whether to enter his state's 2026 Senate race amid incumbent Sen. John Cornyn's bruising primary battle, as he called on the Democrats to be 'ruthless' when it comes to redistricting battles. O'Rourke (D-Texas), who's lost three contests since he last won a mayoral election in 2016, kept the door open to a possible run despite former Rep. Colin Allred (D-Texas) already tossing his hat in the ring. 'I don't know. Right now, I'm holding these town halls all over the state of Texas, across the country to listen to people to bring them together and to channel our anger into action,' O'Rourke told CNN's 'State of the Union' Sunday. Advertisement 3 Beto O'Rourke hasn't won elected office in nearly a decade. Michael Cuviello / Amarillo Globe-News / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images 'But I'm very optimistic about Democrats' opportunity in 2026.' The Lone Star State Democrat, who served in Congress from 2013 to 2019, was thrust into the national spotlight after his fiercely competitive race against Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) in 2018. Advertisement O'Rourke lost to Cruz by about 2.5 percentage points during the blue wave year in the deeply red state. 3 Sen. John Cornyn is facing a tough primary during his reelection bid. AFP via Getty Images From there, he ran for the 2020 Democratic presidential nod, before dropping out prior to votes being cast. Then he challenged incumbent Gov. Greg Abbott (R) in 2022, but was crushed by double digits. Notably, in 2020, O'Rourke declined to challenge Cornyn (R-Texas) and opted for his unsuccessful presidential bid instead. Advertisement Cornyn is facing a brutal primary from Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, who has been mired in various controversies but has been topping him in most recent polling. Cruz is staying neutral. This has given Democrats hope that Texas could emerge as a dark horse pick-up opportunity, because Paxton is generally perceived as less formidable than Cornyn in a general election. Allred, who lost to Cruz by 8.5 percentage points in 2024, has fashioned himself a moderate Democrat. But many analysts believe 2026 could prove to be a blue wave year, due to historical trends. O'Rourke called on Dems to become 'ruthless' heading into the 2026 election cycle. Advertisement 3 Colin Allred is hoping to flip Sen. John Cornyn's seat. Ron Sachs – CNP for NY Post 'We have to get serious. We have to be absolutely ruthless about getting back in power,' the former congressman said. O'Rourke railed against Texas Republicans eyeing potential redistricting tweaks to tip the state's congressional maps further in the GOP's favor and urged Democratic-controlled states to follow suit. 'Wherever we have the trifecta of power, we have to use that to its absolute extent. And then the last thing, this may end up biting Republicans in the a–,' he added. 'You have the possibility that they will disperse Republican voters to make up these three or four or five new congressional districts and put those districts in play.'
Yahoo
08-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Randall County GOP chair arrested, faces election fraud charge
Randall County Republican Chairman Kelly Kenten Giles has been indicted on one count of election fraud related to the 2024 primary election, according to court records. A Randall County grand jury handed down the indictment June 25, alleging that Giles, in his official capacity as party chairman, falsely certified that his application and nominating petition were legally compliant when submitted to the Texas Secretary of State in December 2023. The certification allowed his name to appear on the April 2024 Republican primary ballot. Giles won 51% of the vote in that primary, securing another term as chairman. He was first elected to the position in May 2023. The charge is classified as a Class A misdemeanor, which can carry penalties of up to one year in jail and a $4,000 fine. Giles was booked into the Randall County Jail on July 7. No bond was required for his release. As of Tuesday, no court date had been set, and Giles was not available to comment on the charges. This is a developing story; more information will be added as it becomes available. This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: Randall County Republican Party chairman Kelly Giles arrested
Yahoo
05-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
High Noon on the Square kicks off 30th season with music, burgers and community spirit
The Potter County courthouse lawn came alive Wednesday as High Noon on the Square returned for its 30th season in downtown Amarillo. More than 450 people gathered to enjoy live music from Ed Montana and a sizzling lunch courtesy of the Coors Cowboy Club, which grilled more than 400 hamburgers for the crowd. 'The lawn is beautiful. It's full of kids and pets and families — just like we love to see it,' said Beth Duke, executive director of Center City of Amarillo. 'Everybody's enjoying downtown.' The summer series continues every Wednesday through July, with next week's musical guest set to be Buster Bledsoe. This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: High Noon on the Square opens 30th season in Amarillo
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Yahoo
Why did Cornelius Harper murder his cellmate five years ago? Learn more
A 38-year-old convicted murderer, Cornelius Harper, was handed on Monday a second life sentence without parole for the beating death of his Clements Unit cellmate five years ago, according to a news release from the Texas Special Prosecutors Unit, Cornelius Harper told investigators that he was on a holy mission to purge those he saw as 'defective," the release states. More: Life sentence given in Clements Unit murder of cellmate, here's what we know Harper told investigators that after killing Nunez on Good Friday, which fell on April 10, 2020, he tricked prison guards into believing Nunez was still alive by taking advantage of COVID-19 protocols that hindered a close inspection of their cell, which was on the very end of the pod. This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: Why did Cornelius Harper murder his cellmate five years ago? Learn more
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Red lanterns to be lit for VE Day 80th anniversary at Texas Panhandle War Memorial
The Texas Panhandle War Memorial Center, located at 4111 S. Georgia in Amarillo, will join other groups and the community in honoring the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day (VE Day) May 8, with a nighttime outdoor lantern ceremony at the center. VE Day marked the end of hostilities in the European Theater in World War II. The lanterns' flames represent the "light of peace" that emerged from the darkness of war, and the red represents the sacrifices made during the war. The Daughters of the American Revolution, Ester McCory and Molly Goodnight Chapters, will hold the ceremony at 9:30 p.m. at the war memorial. They will be joining communities across the state of Texas to honor the sacrifice of our veterans and remember the 80 years since the end of World War II in Europe. Part of the Texas Panhandle War Memorial Center is seen in this April 2022 file photo. "Many millions paid the ultimate sacrifice to achieve victory and bring peace to a battered continent," Tim Reid, the war memorial's executive director, said in an event announcement, noting 1,079 Panhandle veterans paid the ultimate sacrifice and are memorialized on 10 granite monoliths at the war memorial. The lighting of red lanterns will take place at 9:30 p.m. (2130), with the names of veterans read out loud, followed by the singing 'God Bless America.' The public is encouraged to participate in the ceremony and bring a red lantern. For more information, call 806-350-8387 or visit the website, This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: VE Day to be marked by red lantern ceremony at war memorial
