Second Reading Podcast
Education Podcasts
Analysis of Texas Politics by Jim and Josh from the Texas Politics Project. Texas Podcast Network is brought to you by The University of Texas at Austin. Podcasts are produced by faculty members and staffers at UT Austin who work with University...
Location:
United States
Genres:
Education Podcasts
Description:
Analysis of Texas Politics by Jim and Josh from the Texas Politics Project. Texas Podcast Network is brought to you by The University of Texas at Austin. Podcasts are produced by faculty members and staffers at UT Austin who work with University Communications to craft content that adheres to journalistic best practices. The University of Texas at Austin offers these podcasts at no charge. Podcasts appearing on the network and this webpage represent the views of the hosts, not of The University of Texas at Austin.
Language:
English
Episodes
Abbott squeezes Texas cities, Congressional campaign groups spend in Texas, and the Texas Lyceum Poll.
4/23/2026
James Henson and Joshua Blank check in on Gov. Abbott’s pressure on Houston, Dallas, and Austin to change immigration enforcement politics and planned spending by both parties on Texas Congressional races, then go deep on the Texas Lyceum Poll’s look at Texans’ views of the quality of life in Texas. This episode was recorded and […]
Duration:00:59:32
Reporting the Fall of Tony Gonzales with Bayliss Wagner
4/16/2026
James Henson talks with Bayliss Wagner of the Austin American-Statesman and Hearst Newspapers about her reporting on the scandals that led to Texas Congressman Tony Gonzales’ exit from the U.S. House, including the role of non-traditional and social media in the emergence of the story in mainstream media.
Duration:00:42:20
A Look at the U.S. War with Iran with Professor Rob Moser
4/9/2026
James Henson talks with Professor Robert D. Moser of The University of Texas at Austin Government Department about U.S. interest in Iran, how the escalation of the conflict with Iran intersect those interests, and the consequences of the war for national and international politics.
Duration:00:48:37
A Texas Vibe Check During the Transitional Election Season
3/26/2026
James Henson and Joshua Blank survey the early signs of the developing general election campaign in Texas as well as lingering primary dynamics in both parties. Topics include the early Republican attacks on James Talarico, the rock throwing between Acting Comptroller Hancock and AG Paxton, and efforts to test the issue environment in the general […]
Duration:00:56:04
The U.S. War in Iran and the Election Climate in Texas
3/12/2026
James Henson and Joshua Blank check into the latest twist the GOP run-off election for the U.S. Senate, then turn to what public opinion polling in Texas might tell us about the impact of the U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran given the current path of the conflict.
Duration:00:50:27
Texas Delivers a Dramatic Primary Election
3/5/2026
After months of anticipation, James Henson and Joshua Blank look at the results of the Texas primary election.
Duration:01:02:54
New UT/Texas Politics Project Poll U.S. Senate Primaries in Texas
2/25/2026
James Henson and Joshua Blank look at recent poll results for the Texas primary races between Jasmine Crockett and James Talarico on the Democratic side, and in the GOP contest between incumbent John Cornyn, Ken Paxton, and Wesley Hunt.
Duration:00:52:44
A Chat with Brad Johnson about The Texas Bullpen, and Races and Election Vibes in Texas
2/12/2026
James Henson talks with Brad Johnson about the newly launched Texas Bullpen, then checks in on Johnson’s read of vibes in the Texas Primaries, in including congressional and legislative races and, of course, the U.S. Senate primaries.
Duration:01:11:58
A Hot Election Week in Texas
2/5/2026
James Henson and Joshua Blank look at three big stories in Texas that generated national attention as election season heats up in the state: the special election for Senate District 9, Colin Allred’s surprising re-emergence in the Democratic Senate nomination race, and Donald Trump’s public musings about endorsing in Republican Senate race.
Duration:00:51:41
Public Opinion on Immigration, Gun Rights, and the First Amendment in the Politics of the Latest Minneapolis Shooting
1/29/2026
James Henson and Joshua Blank look at how the shooting deaths of protesters by federal immigration authorities in Minneapolis activate a complex interplay among attitudes on immigration, gun rights, and the First Amendment. The discussion starts with a look at national polling in the immediate aftermath of the killing of Alex Pretti, who was legally […]
Duration:00:50:17
A Weather Report on Issues in the 2026 Primaries
1/22/2026
James Henson and Josh Blank use Texas polling to compare and contrast the issues at play in the Republican and Democratic primaries in Texas. Plus, some brief discussion of the latest NYT/Sienna national poll and the coverage of polling conducted by campaigns.
Duration:00:52:47
Texas views on health care and immigration enforcement plus a check in on the 2026 U.S. Senate race
1/12/2026
James Henson & Joshua Blank look at results on health care, immigration, and the 2026 U.S. Senate race in the final UT/Texas Politics Poll of 2025 and what they portend for the 2026 election year.
Duration:00:53:26
Digging Up Public Opinion Nuggets from 2026 Texas Polling
12/11/2025
James Henson and Joshua Blank dig up some highlights from UT/Texas Politics Project polling in 2025 on subjects including property taxes, speech rights, views of the legislature, healthcare, vaccines, and more.
Duration:00:54:05
Crockett and Cuellar Add New Twists to 2026
12/4/2025
James Henson and Joshua Blank look at how Donald Trump’s pardon of Henry Cuellar, and Jasmine Crockett’s likely entrance in the race to replace John Cornyn, have complicated the 2026 election in Texas – and maybe the U.S.
Duration:00:52:28
Texas Redistricting Blows Up (Again); the State of the Trump Coalition
11/20/2025
James Henson & Joshua Blank consider the politics of the federal court decision throwing out the recently redrawn Texas Congressional map, and the MAGA crack-up trope.
Duration:00:54:14
The Abbott Campaign Announcement & the Uncertain Political Environment
11/13/2025
James Henson & Joshua Blank talk about Gov. Abbott’s 2026 campaign kick-off, the public opinion context for property tax policy, and the still uncertain dynamics of the 2026 election.
Duration:00:52:07
New UT Polling and the Current Texas Landscape for the 2026 Election
10/30/2025
The Texas Politics Project Poll team – Daron Shaw, James Henson, and Joshua Blank – discuss what their latest poll tells us about the current Texas landscape for the 2026 election.
Duration:00:59:33
Assessing the State of the Constitutional Order in the U.S.
10/23/2025
Comparative constitutional scholar Zachary Elkins joins James Henson to discuss these state of Constitutional features like the separation of powers and checks and balances during the norms-challenging Trump presidency.
Duration:00:53:47
Gov. Abbott Sends the National Guard to Illinois and Wesley Hunt Formally Joins the U.S. Senate Race.
10/9/2025
After catching up on the federal shutdown, James Henson and Joshua Blank look at the political dynamics around Gov. Greg Abbott’s fast deployment of Texas National Guard troops to Illinois at the order of President Trump, including a look at Texas attitudes toward Abbott’s response to Operation Jade Helm a decade ago.
Duration:00:43:41
Shutdown politics and public opinion in Texas
10/2/2025
James Henson and Joshua Blank dig into what Texas polling can tell us about the public opinion context for the government shutdown.
Duration:01:00:44