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What Democrats' wins in local Texas elections mean for the state

Why local election wins by Democrats in Texas may not matter come November.

News

Texas Democratic gubernatorial candidate <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Gina Hinojosa" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2025/09/26/gina-hinojosa-austin-democrat-campaign-texas-governor" data-vars-content-id="587e56c9-9d39-4ad1-b6ba-406e305013d3" data-vars-headline="What Democrats&#x27; wins in local Texas elections mean for the state" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2025/09/26/gina-hinojosa-austin-democrat-campaign-texas-governor" target="_self">Gina Hinojosa</a> is suggesting recent school board and mayoral election results across the state signal hope for Democrats running in statewide races — but politics watchers tell Axios the suggestion is tenuous.Why it matters: No Democrat has won statewide in Texas since 1994, but Democratic candidates are <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="eager" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2026/05/04/talarico-democratic-vice-president" data-vars-content-id="587e56c9-9d39-4ad1-b6ba-406e305013d3" data-vars-headline="What Democrats&#x27; wins in local Texas elections mean for the state" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2026/05/04/talarico-democratic-vice-president" target="_self">eager</a> to show this year is different.

Kacey Musgraves draws crowds to New Braunfels

Restaurants, bars and shops are seeing a jump in foot traffic.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Kacey Musgraves" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/dallas/2024/04/12/kacey-musgraves-bluebonnets-picking-debate" data-vars-content-id="9af6c27d-b8a7-43ab-8bb7-a87a83d552a3" data-vars-headline="Kacey Musgraves draws crowds to New Braunfels" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/dallas/2024/04/12/kacey-musgraves-bluebonnets-picking-debate" target="_self">Kacey Musgraves</a> is the hottest ticket in New Braunfels, and her three-night, sold-out run at Gruene Hall is providing a boost for the city&#x27;s historic district.Why it matters: The Grammy-winning singer, who now typically plays arenas and headlines major festivals, is drawing legions of fans to the iconic Hill Country venue, offering a real-time look at how a major star can supercharge a local economy.

Why Dems would (or wouldn't) pick Talarico for VP in '28

Talarico has carved out a new lane in Texas politics: a Christian Democrat who appeals to Latinos and suburbanites.

Politics & Policy

Texas legislator <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="James Talarico" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/05/democrats-texas-talarico-voter-turnout" data-vars-content-id="355d5c5b-dfab-4ce5-9dbe-6b053a2cdcab" data-vars-headline="Why Dems would (or wouldn&#x27;t) pick Talarico for VP in &#x27;28" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/05/democrats-texas-talarico-voter-turnout" target="_self">James Talarico</a> is <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="an underdog" data-vars-click-url="https://www.cookpolitical.com/senate/race/488686" data-vars-content-id="355d5c5b-dfab-4ce5-9dbe-6b053a2cdcab" data-vars-headline="Why Dems would (or wouldn&#x27;t) pick Talarico for VP in &#x27;28" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.cookpolitical.com/senate/race/488686" target="_blank">an underdog</a> for U.S. Senate, but his name is already being whispered as a potential 2028 vice presidential candidate. Why it matters: The mere suggestion reflects just how stratospheric <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Talarico&#x27;s rise" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2025/10/15/how-texas-talarico-is-leveraging-social-media-in-his-bid-for-the-senate" data-vars-content-id="355d5c5b-dfab-4ce5-9dbe-6b053a2cdcab" data-vars-headline="Why Dems would (or wouldn&#x27;t) pick Talarico for VP in &#x27;28" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2025/10/15/how-texas-talarico-is-leveraging-social-media-in-his-bid-for-the-senate" target="_self">Talarico&#x27;s rise</a> has been — and how desperate Democrats are to win Texas&#x27; electoral votes.

ACL Fest to include Charli XCX, Rüfüs Du Sol and Lorde

Tickets for both weekends will go on sale at noon CT Tuesday.

Charli XCX, Rüfüs Du Sol and Lorde are among the headliners of this year&#x27;s Austin City Limits Music Festival.Driving the news: Organizers released the lineup for the two-weekend festival Tuesday morning.

Desert Island Dish with Austin pitmaster Evan LeRoy

We caught up with LeRoy ahead of the cookbook's release for our Desert Island Dish series.

Pitmaster Evan LeRoy wants to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="give you his secrets" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2024/11/12/michelin-guide-texas-austin-restaurant-winners" data-vars-content-id="51da4411-1778-4b62-9513-7339725475fd" data-vars-headline="Desert Island Dish with Austin pitmaster Evan LeRoy" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2024/11/12/michelin-guide-texas-austin-restaurant-winners" target="_self">give you his secrets</a>.Driving the news: LeRoy, the chef and co-owner of LeRoy and Lewis, and Paula Forbes are <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="releasing a new cookbook" data-vars-click-url="https://leroyandlewisbbq.com/newschoolbbqcookbook/" data-vars-content-id="51da4411-1778-4b62-9513-7339725475fd" data-vars-headline="Desert Island Dish with Austin pitmaster Evan LeRoy" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://leroyandlewisbbq.com/newschoolbbqcookbook/" target="_blank">releasing a new cookbook</a> — &quot;New School Barbecue: Recipes for Next-Level Smoking and Grilling&quot; — with nearly 100 techniques and recipes, encouraging home cooks to go beyond the &quot;classic&quot; <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="barbecue" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2023/08/18/austin-beer-barbecue-brewery-tour-guide" data-vars-content-id="51da4411-1778-4b62-9513-7339725475fd" data-vars-headline="Desert Island Dish with Austin pitmaster Evan LeRoy" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2023/08/18/austin-beer-barbecue-brewery-tour-guide" target="_self">barbecue</a> dishes everyone serves.

Shakey Graves' very best Austin day

The inventive Austin musician has a new album coming out.

Music

Folk-blues musician Shakey Graves is a very busy man.Why it matters: Nearly 40 years old, he leads a new generation of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Austin musicians" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/music" data-vars-content-id="84c9c2de-84cd-4cc0-838d-3474916da2ce" data-vars-headline="Shakey Graves&#x27; very best Austin day" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/music" target="_self">Austin musicians</a> even as he is a father to a young child.

Restaurants compete with creative lamb dishes

Six restaurants are competing in Lamb Jam, a national showdown that doubles as a real-time menu experiment.

Things to Do

Editor&#x27;s note: This story was written by University of Texas student Trinity Orosco for Axios Austin.Six Austin restaurants have spent the month of April transforming lamb into crispy arancini, laab and tostadas for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Lamb Jam&#x27;s" data-vars-click-url="https://americanlamb.com/lamb-jam-2026-austin/" data-vars-content-id="d66bfd10-b5f3-42f5-acc7-e535d5bb4dfc" data-vars-headline="Restaurants compete with creative lamb dishes" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://americanlamb.com/lamb-jam-2026-austin/" target="_blank">Lamb Jam&#x27;s</a> restaurant competition.

Roxie’s serves up homestyle comfort food

Chicken, all-you-can-eat sides, dessert and more.

I have a recommendation for your next free afternoon.What&#x27;s happening: I recently took a trip to Buda to try out <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Roxie&#x27;s" data-vars-click-url="https://www.roxiesbuda.com/" data-vars-content-id="fd6b3884-bc0c-4267-bffe-eef51479e8fa" data-vars-headline="Roxie’s serves up homestyle comfort food" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.roxiesbuda.com/" target="_blank">Roxie&#x27;s</a>, the new restaurant from Salt Lick BBQ owner Scott Roberts, and to check out the town, where a growing number of friends and acquaintances have moved.

Austin's top April events you won't want to miss

Austin's kite fest, comedy, music and more.

Food and Drink

It&#x27;s springtime in Central Texas, and one of our favorite months of the year to get out and explore Austin.Here are some of the events we&#x27;re most looking forward to.

Desert Island Dish with Geraldine's Sergio Ledesma

The chef of Geraldine's shares the dishes that are most important to him.

As part of our <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="running feature" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2026/01/13/desert-island-dish-david-munoz" data-vars-content-id="54ffc092-f11b-496f-b70e-20030afbd26b" data-vars-headline="Desert Island Dish with Geraldine&#x27;s Sergio Ledesma" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2026/01/13/desert-island-dish-david-munoz" target="_self">running feature</a> about Austin chefs&#x27; favorite meals, we recently chatted with Sergio Ledesma, the executive chef at <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Geraldine&#x27;s" data-vars-click-url="https://www.hotelvanzandt.com/geraldines/" data-vars-content-id="54ffc092-f11b-496f-b70e-20030afbd26b" data-vars-headline="Desert Island Dish with Geraldine&#x27;s Sergio Ledesma" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.hotelvanzandt.com/geraldines/" target="_blank">Geraldine&#x27;s</a>, in the Hotel Van Zandt by Rainey Street.<ul><li>At the Southern-inflected Mexican restaurant, shrimp and grits ($38), composed with chintextle, a Oaxacan chili paste, shares menu space with a lamb barbacoa ($44) and sides like smoked carrots ($14), prepared with a guajillo adobo rub.</li></ul>

Austin pop-up fuels matcha craze

The pop-up has quickly become one of the city's buzziest stops.

Editor&#x27;s note: This story was written by University of Texas student Trinity Orosco for Axios Austin.An Austin matcha pop-up is drawing lines that stretch down the sidewalk, tapping into a fast-growing U.S. market for the Japanese green tea.

Find Middle Eastern flavors at South Austin's newest bakery

Try the labneh za'atar bun and pair it with Persian tea.

South Austin pastry fiends who have been missing Moonlight Bakery&#x27;s cinnamon rolls, cookies and whole wheat breads have a new source for flaky dough.Driving the news: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Matok" data-vars-click-url="https://matokbakery.com/" data-vars-content-id="2eb4a55f-6572-4a85-9a7c-e0e44c1e2c38" data-vars-headline="Find Middle Eastern flavors at South Austin&#x27;s newest bakery" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://matokbakery.com/" target="_blank">Matok</a>, Hebrew for &quot;sweet,&quot; opened Tuesday in the old Moonlight spot, in a strip mall off South Lamar Boulevard, a few blocks south of the intersection with Oltorf Street.

David Muñoz's election night enchiladas recipe

After Austin chef David Muñoz <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="told us" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2026/01/13/desert-island-dish-david-munoz" data-vars-content-id="b63273e8-5cf5-4d63-a5d0-f3e0062f3a73" data-vars-headline="David Muñoz&#x27;s election night enchiladas recipe" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2026/01/13/desert-island-dish-david-munoz" target="_self">told us</a> that the one meal he&#x27;d want with him on a desert island is his mother&#x27;s election night enchiladas, readers asked for the recipe. <ul><li>Muñoz, who grew up in Fort Worth, is the executive chef at Henry&#x27;s at the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Inn at Green Pastures" data-vars-click-url="https://www.greenpasturesaustin.com/" data-vars-content-id="b63273e8-5cf5-4d63-a5d0-f3e0062f3a73" data-vars-headline="David Muñoz&#x27;s election night enchiladas recipe" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.greenpasturesaustin.com/" target="_blank">Inn at Green Pastures</a>. This recipe originated with his mother, Aurelia Muñoz — they&#x27;d be ready when her husband, an elections judge, came home from the polls.</li></ul>

Your favorite Chinese spots in Austin

Axios Austin readers weigh in about their favorite Chinese restaurants.

To mark the Lunar New Year, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="we asked you" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/01/29/lunar-new-year-lucky-foods?utm_term=emshare" data-vars-content-id="3529a191-2999-47ef-8aae-27ba84c8107e" data-vars-headline="Your favorite Chinese spots in Austin" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/01/29/lunar-new-year-lucky-foods?utm_term=emshare" target="_self">we asked you</a> last week about your favorite Chinese restaurants and your go-to dishes.Liz P. recommends <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Chen&#x27;s Noodle House" data-vars-click-url="https://chensnoodles.com/" data-vars-content-id="3529a191-2999-47ef-8aae-27ba84c8107e" data-vars-headline="Your favorite Chinese spots in Austin" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://chensnoodles.com/" target="_blank">Chen&#x27;s Noodle House</a> (&quot;the best sesame bun&quot;), in northwest Austin, and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Julie&#x27;s Noodles" data-vars-click-url="https://juliesnoodlesaustin.com/" data-vars-content-id="3529a191-2999-47ef-8aae-27ba84c8107e" data-vars-headline="Your favorite Chinese spots in Austin" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://juliesnoodlesaustin.com/" target="_blank">Julie&#x27;s Noodles</a> (&quot;amazing soup dumplings&quot;), on Research Boulevard.

Food and Drink 🍽

Desert Island Dish with Austin pitmaster Evan LeRoy

Shakey Graves' very best Austin day

Restaurants compete with creative lamb dishes

Roxie’s serves up homestyle comfort food

Austin's top April events you won't want to miss