Party Politics

Party Politics

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

January 18, 2026 26 mins
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 key U.S. Senate race, leaving Republican candidates to jockey for attention in a high-stakes contest. Next, attention turns to U.S. Senat...

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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 policy, the international response...

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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 wave of new candidates is giving us a clearer picture of what 2026 ...

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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. Former Lt. Gov. Bill Ratliff and former U.S. Education Secretary Rod Paige both passed away, leaving behind legacies of leadership defined by...
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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 use of tariffs, a decision that could reshape the limits of executive authority over trade. At the same time, justices are weighing whethe...
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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 candidates compete to represent a key Ho...

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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 campaign, while Newsom’s visit highlighted Democratic leadership on issues like immigration and climate — and perhaps his growing national ambi...
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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 its end as former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced she will not seek reelection, closing a decades-long chapter of Democratic leaders...
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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 also dives into how Trump’s ...

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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 halfti...
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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 Paxton’s growing wealth raises fresh ethical questions. On the campaign trail, Democrats James Talarico and Col...
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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? Plus, we take a closer look at Judge Lina Hidalgo’s complex legacy an...

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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. They also examine new military rules rolled out by Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, raising questions a...
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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...

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September 12, 2025 26 mins

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 2nd S...

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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 ballot.

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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 State is facing some big questions about its future.TOPICS:Population growth challenges.Why affordable housing is slipping out of reachWate...
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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.

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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 around each other, the overlap—and tensions—between Texas’ executive and legislative branches, the cor...

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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 also discuss Donald Trump re-entering the spotlight—fresh off receiving a $400 million private jet—and h...

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