Y'all-itics

Here we go. Early voting is underway. And Democrats appear to be showing up with their enthusiasm. But what do they suggest? And as the campaigns make their final statewide pushes across Texas, we’re sitting down for a pint with a Democratic and a Republican consultant to grade the campaigns and look at the final ten days of 2026 election. GUESTS: Vinny Minchillo, Republican political consultant Jay Pritchard, Democratic political consultant

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.

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.

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

In the September 27 episode, Republican U.S. Representative Jodey Arrington tells us why he’s calling for a constitutional amendment to balance the federal budget and why he chose Dallas for a field hearing to discuss the $40 trillion national debt. Republican nominee for Ag Commissioner Nate Sheets explains why he’s not calling for a data center moratorium and how he’d help Texas farmers and ranchers stay in business. And Dallas Council Member Paula Blackmon on the coalition now calling for Dallas voters to decide the fate of City Hall.

The headline is stunning enough: “Fiasco in the Factory: Taxpayers Funded a $533 Million Artillery Plant That Made Nothing”. But the details in the story that follow are even more extraordinary: crashing robotic machines, equipment catching fire, and an artillery shell that was supposed to be smooth coming out shaped like a soft serve ice cream swirl. The Jasons are joined by the ProPublica reporter who broke the blockbuster story on a Mesquite, Texas plant where he says taxpayers got nothing for the big bucks they spent. And more reports are coming. Note: Y’all-itics reached out to General Dynamics to give them a chance to respond to the details of the ProPublica report and/or to join the podcast discussion and they declined comment and passed on an interview. We tried reaching out to Repkon with the same offers for their response and didn’t hear back. Guest: Jesse Coburn, Reporter at ProPublica The full Pro Publica Report: https://www.propublica.org/article/general-dynamics-artillery-factory-failed

In the September 13 episode, Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate James Talarico touts the Republicans supporting his campaign and why he thinks he’s still an underdog despite recent polls. Plus, EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin says the RNC midterm convention was so successful, that both parties will probably replicate it. But will the big GOP gathering move any voters?

In the August 2 episode, state Representative Shelley Luther explains why she doesn’t think the bad blood from the GOP primary will last through the midterms, and why independents remain crucial. State Representative Christina Morales tells us why Democrats are confident with three months to go, and why the party truly believes Texas is in play in 2026. And Dallas Council Member Zarin Gracey discusses the city’s $51 million budget hole and whether he thinks jobs are on the line