Matt Zdun
Austin American-Statesman
Austin, TX, United States
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Past articles by Matt:
Texas delegates to 2020 Democratic convention will have 80-mile commute
Texas delegates at next year’s Democratic National Convention in Milwaukee will face a long commute from their hotel to the party’s → Read More
Burrows describes 'off-the-cuff' list amid Sullivan controversy
State Rep. Dustin Burrows of Lubbock broke his weekslong silence Thursday morning on a meeting he attended with House Speaker Dennis Bonnen and influential conservative activist Michael Quinn Sullivan earlier this summer that has raised questions about the GOP lawmakers' loyalty to their fellow Republicans ahead of pivotal 2020 elections.But his comments on the Chad Hasty Show on a Lubbock radio… → Read More
Rick Perry falls victim to Instagram hoax
Former Gov. Rick Perry was caught up in a widespread Instagram hoax Tuesday.Perry, the U.S. energy secretary, posted on Instagram a screenshot of a long → Read More
Dustin Burrows resigns as House GOP Caucus chair amid Sullivan controversy
State Rep. Dustin Burrows of Lubbock has stepped down as chairman of the Texas House Republican Caucus, according to a spokeswoman for House Speaker Dennis Bonnen.The resignation comes after conservative activist Michael Quinn Sullivan accused Burrows and Bonnen of asking him to politically target 10 GOP House members in exchange for House floor media credentials during the 2021 legislative… → Read More
Julián Castro proposes major tax revisions in plan to ‘put working families first’
Democratic presidential hopeful Julián Castro released a plan Thursday to raise taxes on wealthy Americans, repeal the “failed Trump tax → Read More
Abbott forms Domestic Terrorism Task Force after El Paso shooting
Gov. Greg Abbott formed a task force of state political leaders, law enforcement officers and other experts Wednesday to develop ways to prevent → Read More
House committee to investigate Sullivan, Bonnen meeting
The Texas House General Investigating Committee will hold a public hearing on Monday to look into allegations by prominent conservative activist Michael → Read More
Abbott calls for roundtables, financial assistance for El Paso
After meeting with Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, House Speaker Dennis Bonnen, R-Angleton, and El Paso’s local legislators — all → Read More
'We’ve got to stop this': Death toll climbs to 22 in El Paso
EL PASO — Early Monday, after a weekend of grieving, El Paso woke up to more disheartening news — the death toll from Saturday’s mass shooting was climbing.“I’m devastated,” said Alvaro Mena whose stepfather Juan Velasquez died Monday morning at Del Sol Medical Center — the 22nd fatality after a 21-year-old gunman opened fire at a Walmart with as many as 3,000 back-to-school shoppers.Velasquez,… → Read More
El Paso shooting suspect might face death penalty, officials say
EL PASO — The El Paso shooting suspect faces capital murder charges and will be eligible for the death penalty, El Paso County District Attorney Jaime Esparza said at a news conference Sunday.“We will seek the death penalty," Esparza said. "The loss of life is so great we have never seen anything like this in our community."Authorities on Sunday officially identified the suspect as 21-year old… → Read More
BREAKING: U.S. Rep. John Ratcliffe remaining in Congress
U.S. Rep. John Ratcliffe of Heath, whom President Donald Trump had nominated to be director of national intelligence last week, will remain in Congress, → Read More
'Bonnen and Burrows are done': GOP lawmakers react to Bonnen meeting
Influential conservative activist Michael Quinn Sullivan has upped the ante in his high-profile political showdown with Republican House Speaker Dennis → Read More
2nd GOP U.S. House member from Texas announces he's not seeking reelection
U.S. Rep. Mike Conaway, an eight-term Republican from Midland, said Wednesday he will not be seeking reelection next year.The development comes on the → Read More
State Rep. John Zerwas, top Republican budget writer, leaving office early
State Rep. John Zerwas, R-Richmond, an influential Republican who chaired the House Appropriations Committee for the past two legislative sessions, is → Read More
Democratic debate: Candidates spar over health care, immigration
8 p.m. update: After a 10-minute fanfare-filled intro and a lengthy round of opening statements from the candidates, the Detroit debate began with an animated discussion about healthcare. In the first of several pointed questions on the so called “Medicare for All” policy, CNN moderator Jake Tapper asked U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont how he responds to Maryland U.S. Rep. John Delaney’s… → Read More
Sanders, Warren focus of Tuesday debate, as O'Rourke fades
U.S. Sens. Bernie Sanders of Vermont and Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts were the popular political punching bags of lower tier Democratic presidential → Read More
Ted Cruz heckled by lively crowd at LAX
U.S. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, was captured on video being heckled and booed at Los Angeles International Airport Sunday.Dozens of travelers crowded the senator → Read More
Bonnen denies Republican target list, wants to 'move on'
Texas House Speaker Dennis Bonnen further denied Monday that he conspired with influential conservative activist Michael Quinn Sullivan to undermine the → Read More
Bonnen denies Republican target list, wants to 'move on'
Texas House Speaker Dennis Bonnen further denied Monday that he conspired with influential conservative activist Michael Quinn Sullivan to undermine the → Read More
Bonnen accused of 'backroom offer' targeting GOP lawmakers
Influential conservative activist Michael Quinn Sullivan accused Republican House Speaker Dennis Bonnen and one of his lieutenants of making him a “backroom offer” for media access in exchange for Sullivan's backing of Republican challengers to 10 GOP incumbents in next year’s primary.The offer, which Bonnen has denied he made, would represent an extraordinary reversal for the House leader, who… → Read More