Y'all-itics

In the October 18 episode, Democratic nominee for Governor Gina Hinojosa tells us why she thinks Governor Greg Abbott is “scared” and she addresses some recent Republican attacks on her record. And we highlight the race for Chief Justice of the Texas Supreme Court between Republican Jimmy Blacklock, who is hoping voters elect him to the position after being appointed by the Governor, and Maggie Ellis, who is hoping to become the state’s first ever female Chief Justice.

Texans have the opportunity to select the state’s 13th Agriculture Commissioner in the midterm election. And it’s a big job in Texas, from helping farmers and ranchers grow and sell their product, to protecting consumers through safeguards such as pesticide regulation, to administering federal nutrition programs in public schools. But the key issue in this race might just be data centers. In this episode of Y’all-itics, hear from the two main candidates, Democrat Clayton Tucker and Republican Nate Sheets.

In the October 11 episode, Democratic nominee for Attorney General Nathan Johnson explains why he thinks undecided voters will swing the race in his direction and why he’s targeting his opponent in a major, statewide ad blitz. And the two candidates running for Dallas County Commissioner District 2 – Republican Barry Wernick and Democrat Andy Sommerman – discuss their campaigns with a focus on the proposed property tax increase that promises to be top of mind for voters.

It’s a lengthy resume. U.S. Army infantry officer. Section Chief for Counterterrorism. FBI Special Agent in Charge of the D.C. and Dallas Field Offices. Now retired from the FBI, Matthew DeSarno could have picked his job in the private sector. But he chose instead to become a… columnist. DeSarno argues that the rule of law is slowly eroding in our country and it could cause permanent damage, so writing is his new high-stakes mission. As the Jasons learned over a cold one with DeSarno at Union Bear Brewing Company in Plano, his new gig began with a letter to his daughters. We also wanted to know what’s the one thing he believed in while working for the FBI that he no longer trusts. GUEST Matthew DeSarno, DMN Contributing Columnist

Republican political consultant Vinny Minchillo, who’s worked on countless campaigns, says there are a million ways to win an election, but losing candidates do ten things. And he’s laid it all out in a new book, essential reading for first time candidates, or voters wanting a peak behind the political curtain. Negative ads. Debates. Endorsements. Fundraising. Polling. In this episode of Y’all-itics, Minchillo discusses how each can impact an election while having a cold one with the Jasons at Peticolas Brewing Company. The veteran politico will even explain why he hates those darn yard signs so much, and how they can be a drag on a campaign. GUEST Vinny Minchillo, Author/GOP Political Consultant