Scandals & Soundtracks: Texas & National Politics This Week

In this week’s Party Politics, Brandon Rottinghaus and Jeronimo Cortina break down the latest headlines: new fundraising numbers in the Texas Senate race, talk of Harris County possibly flipping red in 2026, and a campaign photo controversy in Southlake that’s stirring debate over ethics and digital manipulation.Meanwhile, more than 50,000 fans have signed a petition to swap Bad Bunny for George Strait as the next Super Bowl halftime performer.Nationally, Donald Trump commuted George Santos’ sentence, is seeking $230 million in damages from the DOJ, and a Senate hopeful’s Nazi tattoo made headlines — all as the government shutdown drags on.TEXAS POLITICSQ3 Fundraising & Senate RaceCould Harris Co. flip in 2026?Crossed Lines: Photo ScandalNATIONAL POLITICSBad Bunny out George Strait in?Trump Commutes Santos Sentence.Trump Seeks $230M from DOJ.Senate Hopeful with Nazi Tattoo.Government Shutdown Continues.In addition to YouTube, Party Politics airs every Friday night at 8:00 p.m. CT on Houston Public Media TV-8 (PBS), or listen every Friday at 7:30 p.m. CT on News 88.7. The audio podcast is also available on Apple Podcasts (or wherever you get your podcasts).