Party Politics
by Houston Public Media
Overwhelmed by the political news cycle every week? We get it — that’s why we’re ‘keeping the fun but losing all the drama’ of politics! Party Politics podcast is hosted by Brandon Rottinghaus and Jeronimo Cortina, two smart and sassy University of Houston political science professors, who deliver a friendly, funny, and casually informative recap of the week's biggest political news stories. Join the conversation on Twitter @HPMPolitics; use #PartyPoliticsPod to ask Brandon and Jeronimo questions; or email us at Party Politics.
Episodes
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Texas Midterms: Who’s Winning the Battle for Voters?
In this week’s episode of Party Politics, co-hosts Brandon Rottinghaus and Jeronimo Cortina take a break from the daily political headlines to examine the candidates, races and voting trends that could shape the next chapter of Texas politics. From the high-profile U.S. Senate contest to...
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Scandal, ICE Raids and Paxton’s Problems
In this week’s episode of Party Politics, co-hosts Brandon Rottinghaus and Jeronimo Cortina examine a series of national controversies, including an ICE raid at Representative Ilhan Omar’s home, the scandal surrounding U.S. Ambassador to Greece Kimberly Guilfoyle’s reported firing, and President...
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Trump, the Supreme Court & Texas’ Midterm Power Struggle
In this week’s episode of Party Politics, co-hosts Brandon Rottinghaus and Jeronimo Cortina examine President Donald Trump’s relationship with the Supreme Court, including his recent comments about the justices he nominated and several major cases before the court this term. They also discuss...
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The Road to the Texas Midterms
On this week’s Party Politics, co-hosts Brandon Rottinghaus and Jeronimo Cortina examine President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance’s visit to Texas and the Republican effort to appeal to Latino voters. The hosts also discuss the Trump administration's taxpayer-funded campaign advertising...
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Mail-in ballots and 7 Million eggs: Just another day in Texas politics
In this week's episode of Party Politics, co-hosts Brandon Rotinghaus and Jeronimo Cortina explore whether Congress is ready to regulate artificial intelligence and what growing concerns over AI could mean for lawmakers. They also discuss the U.S. Supreme Court's decision to block President…
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Could Texas Turn Blue? The GOP Faces a New Test
On this week’s Party Politics, co-hosts Brandon Rottinghaus and Jeronimo Cortina examine whether Texas could be moving toward a political shift—and what it could mean for Republicans heading into the midterms. The hosts discuss Sen. Ted Cruz’s concerns that Republicans could lose ground in Texas,...
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The Battle for Texas: GOP, Paxton and Talarico
On this week's episode of Party Politics, co-hosts Brandon Rottinghaus and Jeronimo Cortina examine the continuing resolution and whether Republicans can claim credit for recent political wins. The hosts also look at plans for a televised GOP midterm convention and what the gathering could mean…
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Trump, Beef & Ballots
On the season five premier of Party Politics, co-hosts Brandon Rottinghaus and Jeronimo Cortina break down the latest national and Texas political developments. They examine the Trump administration’s new economic sanctions on Iran, plans to expand beef imports and the Supreme Court’s decision...
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The Biggest Political Moments of the Party Politics Season
After a season packed with political drama, legal battles, campaign chaos, and some truly surreal headlines, Party Politics wrapped up Season 4 with a look back at the moments viewers talked about most. Hosts Brandon Rottinghaus and Jeronimo Cortina revisited some of the year’s biggest...
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Gas Prices, Gerrymandering and Obama's Return to Texas
Foreign policy tensions, rising gas prices, redistricting wars, and major Texas political maneuvering all collide in this week’s episode of Party Politics. Co-hosts Brandon Rottinghaus and Jeronimo Cortina break down how escalating conflict with Iran is creating political headaches for the White...
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Political Polarization in America: Causes, Consequences, and Paths to Unity [ENCORE]
This week, Co-hosts Brandon Rottinghaus and Jeronimo Cortina discuss how the United States is more polarized than ever, why polarization is at an all-time high, the connection between partisan behaviors and social media, political resentment and anxiety, the implications of polarization and...
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Democrats Eye 2028 as Battle for Identity Begins
The 2028 presidential election may feel far away, but the race to define it is already underway. On this week’s Party Politics, Co-hosts Brandon Rottinghaus and Jeronimo Cortina break down how Democrats are quietly shaping their next presidential strategy—long before a single vote is cast. At the...
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Scandals, Resignations, and Trump’s Iran Gamble
A fragile ceasefire with Iran. Gas prices climbing past $4. A redistricting gamble backfiring. And a wave of resignations shaking Washington. This week on Party Politics, co-hosts Brandon Rottinghaus and Jeronimo Cortina discuss everything—from foreign policy to Texas politics and how they…
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Trump vs. The Pope: A Political and Spiritual Showdown
This week on Party Politics, co-hosts Brandon Rottinghaus and Jeronimo Cortina discuss a political fight between Donald Trump and Pope Leo XIV quickly became the most unexpected — and politically risky.The tension began after Pope Leo criticized how some political leaders use scripture to justify...
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Trump, Iran Tensions, Birthright Citizenship Fight, and Texas Senate Drama
It was another whirlwind week in politics, and this episode of Party Politics co-hosts Brandon Rottinghaus and Jeronimo Cortina tackled everything from rising tensions with Iran to a major Supreme Court battle and growing political fights in Texas. The president announced a two-week ceasefire…
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Partial Shutdown Chaos Hits Home
This week on Party Politics, Co-hosts Brandon Rottinghaus and Jeronimo Cortina discuss how national and Texas political tensions collide as lawmakers brace for a turbulent stretch ahead of the midterms.At the national level, Republicans quietly weigh the possibility of a midterm conference as…
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Why Texans Don’t Vote — And What Could Change That
Why do so many Texans sit out elections—even when local decisions shape daily life? On this episode of Party Politics, co-hosts Brandon Rottinghaus and Jeronimo Cortina, break down the real reasons behind Texas’ persistently low voter turnout.Texas routinely ranks near the bottom nationally when…
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Texas Primary Overdrive: Runoffs, Realignments, and Record Turnout
On this episode of Party Politics, co-hosts Jeronimo Cortina and Brandon Rottinghaus go into overtime after one of the most active Texas primaries in recent memory.What was expected to be a sleepy election instead delivered record-breaking turnout, historic numbers of runoffs, and warning signs…
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March Primary Madness: War Abroad and Wild Results in Texas
A turbulent week in politics delivered both international tension and major shakeups in Texas elections. On this week’s episode of Party Politics, co-hosts Brandon Rottinghaus and Jeronimo Cortina unpack how conflict overseas and surprising primary results at home could shape the political...
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Cartel Violence, Supreme Court Tariffs, and Trump’s State of the Union
This week on Party Politics, hosts Brandon Rottinghaus and Jeronimo Cortina unpack a fast-moving political landscape that spans international security, presidential power, and the high-stakes road to the midterms.The episode opens with escalating cartel violence in Mexico, tied to recent unrest…
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Texas Primary Election Turmoil: Jesse Jackson’s Legacy, GOP Divisions, and Media Controversies
If you or someone you know may be struggling with suicidal thoughts, contact the 988 National & Suicide Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988. This week on Party Politics, co-hosts Brandon Rottinghaus and Jeronimo Cortina examined how a turbulent election season is colliding with moments of...
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From DHS Shutdown Threats to Texas Political Warfare
In this week’s episode of Party Politics, co-hosts Brandon Rottinghaus and Jeronimo Cortina break down how Washington brinkmanship and Texas political warfare converged, underscoring how national chaos and state-level power struggles increasingly mirror one another.At the federal level, the…
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Runoffs, Rifts, and the Fight for Texas Power
Texas politics delivered no shortage of drama this week, and the latest episode of Party Politics breaks down a fast-moving landscape shaped by runoff elections, national power struggles, and the growing influence of digital media. This week on Party Politics, co-hosts Brandon Rottinghaus and...
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Court vs. Commander in Chief: Power on Trial
This week on Party Politics, co-hosts Brandon Rottinghaus and Jeronimo Cortina take a deep dive into the growing tension between the Supreme Court and the presidency — and what these high-stakes legal battles mean for American democracy.The Court is set to rule on former President Donald Trump’s...
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Chaos, Candidates, and the Fight for Texas Republicans
On this week’s episode of Party Politics and part two of a conversation about upcoming primaries, co-hosts Brandon Rottinghaus and Jeronimo Cortina examine growing turbulence inside the Texas Republican Party as the state heads toward another high-stakes election season. With multiple open races,...
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AI Scandal, Trump’s Texas Cold Shoulder, and a Battle Over the Ballot
On this week’s episode of Party Politics, Co-hosts Brandon Rottinghaus and Jeronimo Cortina unpack a crowded political landscape—from Texas primaries and election oversight to national power struggles and unrest abroad.We begin in Texas, where former President Donald Trump has yet to endorse in a...
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From Caracas to Congress: Venezuela’s Impact on American Power Politics
This week on Party Politics, co-hosts Brandon Rottinghaus and Jeronimo Cortina start the conversation far from Texas, with a global crisis that’s quickly becoming a domestic political test: the invasion of Venezuela. The discussion examines what the situation in Venezuela means for U.S. foreign...
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Blue Horizons: Charting the Path Forward for Texas Democrats
This week on Party Politics, co-hosts Brandon Rottinghaus and Jeronimo Cortina take a tour through a Texas political landscape that’s shifting from the Rio Grande Valley to the suburbs of Fort Worth — and everywhere in between. Democrats across the state are trying to chart a path forward, and a...
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Redistricting Rush, Crockett’s Climb, and Cuellar’s Comeback
This week on Party Politics, co-hosts Brandon Rottinghaus and Jeronimo Cortina dig into a week packed with political curveballs — from Austin to D.C. — and even into the courtroom.Texas said goodbye to two public servants who left their mark on the state’s political and educational landscape....
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Court vs. Commander in Chief: Power on Trial
This week on Party Politics, co-hosts Brandon Rottinghaus and Jeronimo Cortina take a deep dive into the growing tension between the Supreme Court and the presidency — and what these high-stakes legal battles mean for American democracy.The Court is set to rule on former President Donald Trump’s...
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Courts, Campaigns & Culture Clashes: Texas Politics in Motion
This week on Party Politics, co-hosts Brandon Rottinghaus and Jeronimo Cortina unpack a full slate of stories where courts, campaigns, and culture collide in Texas politics. Governor Greg Abbott has set a date for the Congressional District 18 runoff, a race drawing statewide attention as...
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When Governors Collide: Abbott & Newsom in Houston
It was a big week in Texas politics — and Houston took center stage.California Governor Gavin Newsom and Texas Governor Greg Abbott both visited the Bayou City, bringing national attention to two of the country’s most visible political rivals. Abbott used his stop to announce his reelection...
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From Thanksgiving Lights to Election Fights
This week on Party Politics, co-hosts Brandon Rottinghaus and Jeronimo Cortina break down a whirlwind of political developments shaping both the national and Texas landscapes — from Washington’s latest power transitions to Houston’s holiday stage.On the national front, a major political era nears...
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Crockett, Cornyn, Paxton & Hunt: The Battle for Texas Begins
On this week’s Party Politics, co-hosts Brandon Rottinghaus and Jeronimo Cortina break down how Crockett’s potential entry could reshape the Democratic strategy in Texas, where statewide races have long favored Republicans but recent cycles show signs of shifting voter dynamics. The conversation...
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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...
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Fitness Fails, Fortune Rises: Power Plays Across Texas
In this week’s episode of Party Politics, co-hosts Brandon Rottinghaus and Jeronimo Cortina break down a packed week in Texas and national news. The state’s National Guard faces scrutiny after troops were sent home from deployment in Chicago over fitness issues, while Attorney General Ken…
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The Hunt Is On: Texas Senate Race Gets Crowded
In this week’s Party Politics, co-hosts Brandon Rottinghaus and Jeronimo Cortina break down a packed week of political moves and maneuvering. In Texas, Congressman Wesley Hunt officially jumps into the Senate race, adding another layer to the growing question: Who will win Trump’s endorsement?...
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Government Shutdown, Abbott 2028? Hegseth’s Military Rules & Texas Governor's Race Heats Up
In this episode of Party Politics, Brandon Rottinghaus and Jeronimo Cortina unpack a turbulent week in politics at both the national and state level. With a government shutdown now in full effect, the hosts dig into how it could ripple across the economy, voter turnout, and the midterm elections....
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Hidalgo, McCaul, Luttrell — The Changing Guard
This week on Party Politics, co-hosts Brandon Rottinghaus and Jeronimo Cortina break down the latest developments in Texas and national politics. TEXAS TOPICS: The legacy of Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo amid her decision to not run for another term. Congressman Michael McCaul and Morgan...
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Abbott, Talarico & Trump Shake Things Up
This week on Party Politics from Houston Public Media, co-hosts Brandon Rottinghaus and Jeronimo Cortina break down the latest political headlines shaking Texas and the nation: TEXAS TOPICS: Representative James Talarico jumps into the U.S. Senate race. What came out of the Texas Legislature’s…
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The Voting Puzzle: Registration, Access, and Apathy in Texas
Texas consistently ranks near the bottom when it comes to voter turnout — but why? In this episode of Party Politics, co-hosts Brandon Rottinghaus and Jeronimo Cortina dig into the numbers behind Texas’ low voter turnout and explore the many factors that shape how, when, and whether people cast a...
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The Changing Face of Texas: Growth, Grit, and Growing Pains
This week on Party Politics, co-hosts Brandon Rottinghaus and Jeronimo Cortina explore the growing pains and political pressures shaping Texas as it marches toward its bicentennial in 2036. From population explosions and housing crises to water shortages and shifting demographics, the Lone Star...
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Big Decisions Ahead: Bills, Budget Battles, SCOTUS Cases & What’s Next in U.S. Politics This Summer
It’s shaping up to be a busy — and politically loaded — summer. On this episode of Party Politics, co-hosts Brandon Rottinghaus and Jeronimo Cortina dig into the big headlines and behind-the-scenes dynamics shaping U.S. politics this season. TOPICS: Which bills could land on the Governor Abbott's...
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The 89th Texas Legislature: GOP Goals, Democratic Dilemmas, and Power Plays
This week in politics on Party Politics, hosts Brandon Rottinghaus and Jeronimo Cortina discuss the dynamics shaping the 89th Texas Legislature, if the state’s top Republican leaders—Governor Greg Abbott, Lt. Governor Dan Patrick, and House Speaker Dustin Burrow— are working together, or working...
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Biden Fights Cancer, Trump Gets a Jet, SCOTUS Tackles Immigration, and Congress Eyes the ‘Big Beautiful Bill'
This week in politics on Party Politics, hosts Brandon Rottinghaus and Jeronimo Cortina discuss how President Biden’s prostate cancer diagnosis has reignited questions about his legacy and the 2024 race, the Supreme Court tackling major immigration cases that could reshape national policy. They...
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Is America’s Balance of Power Broken? How the Presidency, Congress, and Courts Are Colliding
On this week's episode of Party Politics, hosts Brandon Rottinghaus and Jeronimo Cortina break down the balance of power in American government — then and now. Are checks and balances still doing their job? Is the judiciary truly independent, or too partisan? And just how far can presidential…
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100 Days of Trump: Did He Deliver? The Good, The Bad, and the Executive Orders.
On this week’s episode of Party Politics, hosts Brandon Rottinghaus and Jeronimo Cortina discuss why the first 100 days of a presidency are important, the grade President Trump should receive for the first 100 days, why Trump has chosen to use so many executive orders to govern, if Trump can...
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Make America...Hats Again? Trump 2028 Merch & Economic Reality Check
On this week's episode of Party Politics, hosts Brandon Rottinghaus and Jeronimo Cortina discuss a decline in economic growth under President Trump, trade in the United States amid Canadian election results, democrat Senator Dick Durbin retiring, Trump 2028 hats appearing online, Trump backing...
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Pete Hegseth's Signal Chat Leak 2: Back to Spill the Tea—The Return of the Text Messages That Shouldn’t Exist
On this week’s episode of Party Politics, hosts Brandon Rottinghaus and Jeronimo Cortina discuss the fluctuating market amid tariffs, United States Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has texts leaked from the Signal App for a second time, if the Freedom Caucus has been successful, the impact of...
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Fumbles and Fights: JD Vance's NCAA Misstep and the White House Deportation Battle
This week, Co-hosts Brandon Rottinghaus and Jeronimo Cortina discuss the White House Deportation Fight, President Joe Biden is back with a speech about social security, Vice President JD Vance breaks Ohio State's NCAA Football Championship trophy, the stakes for Governor Greg Abbott's voucher…
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About this show
Overwhelmed by the political news cycle every week? We get it — that’s why we’re ‘keeping the fun but losing all the drama’ of politics! Party Politics podcast is hosted by Brandon Rottinghaus and Jeronimo Cortina, two smart and sassy University of Houston political science professors, who deliver a friendly, funny, and casually informative recap of the week's biggest political news stories. Join the conversation on Twitter @HPMPolitics; use #PartyPoliticsPod to ask Brandon and Jeronimo questions; or email us at Party Politics.
Hosted by
Houston Public Media
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