Texas Bullpen Podcast
Listen to the weekly Texas Bullpen podcast to stay up to date on all things Texas politics with hosts Brad Johnson, Jonathan Richie, and Cassi Schredder, along with special guests.
Episodes
50 episodes
RNC Takes Dallas and the Floodgates Open - Episode 50
The guys recap the two-day GOP rally in Dallas and a week chock-full of campaign slapping and spending as the post-Labor Day rush begins.
Senate Race Sauntering, Homestead Handwringing, and SCOTUS Watch - Episode 49
The guys dive into the ad spending in the Texas Senate race, foreshadow a policy fight to come, and read the litigation tea leaves on prediction markets.
Power Politics and the Politics of Power - Episode 48
The guys rant about electricity, power lines, and concrete shells that house servers. Also, the new wedge issue in the midterm election and a look ahead to 2028.
Pensions, Pennies, and Pornography - Episode 47
The guys discuss a busy week in Texas politics that included MAGA Inc. showing its hand, Lt. Gov. Patrick giving Richie porn, and two weedy-but-important topics discussed in committee hearings.
Produced Water Predicament, College Sports Conundrum, Election Law Enigmas - Episode 46
Just ahead of the 2026 MALC Golf Classic, the guys dig deep on a potential solution to Texas' water crisis and the latest development in the college sports crisis of its own.
Summiting San Angelo and It's The Economy Stupid - Episode 45
The guys recap their trip to San Angelo for the West Texas Legislative Summit, the news made at it, and the developing themes of the statewide elections.
AECT President Mark Bell Talks Transmission Lines, Data Centers, and the ERCOT Grid - Episode 44
Mark Bell, president of the Association of Electric Companies of Texas joins the program to discuss the industry side of the raging debates over transmission lines and data centers. He also discusses the future of the ERCOT power grid.
Electric Boogaloo Acid Test and Republicans Try to Make Kumbaya Happen - Episode 43
The guys discuss a marathon committee hearing on all things electricity and the GOP's desperate effort to unify and mobilize rural Texas.
The Devil's in the Data Centers and the Senate Candidates Claw at Each Other - Episode 42
The fellas discuss a data center-dominant week in Texas politics, an increasingly spicy U.S. Senate race, and the best of the rest.
Rep. Buckley Talks Electricity, Education, and the November Election - Episode 41
State Rep. Brad Buckley joins the program to discuss 765-kV transmission lines, data centers, education, and the all-important election this fall.
Around the Horn and a Whole Lot About Finance Reports - Episode 40
The guys discuss all of the top stories this week, including a new Secretary of State, developments on the Houston shooting incident, and a deep dive into the latest finance reports. Also, Richie gets his boat fix.
State Rep. David Spiller Talks Data Centers, Border Policy, and the House Speakership - Episode 39
State Rep. David Spiller joins Brad Johnson for a stint in Waffle House to discuss top issues of the day, including data centers, transmission lines, and the next steps on border policy.
Maine-lining the Texas Senate Race and Closing Time - Episode 38
The guys discuss developments in the U.S. Senate race in Texas, including gaudy fundraising numbers and the Platner implications, along with the rip-roaring debate over closed primaries.
Appointment Musical Chairs and SCOTUS Makes Everyone Mad - Episode 37
The guys discuss a week of drama-filled musical chairs in two state offices and the landmark rulings issued by the U.S. Supreme Court at the end of its term. Happy Independence Day from all of us at Texas Bullpen.
Democrats Party on the Corpus Christi Bay - Episode 36
Brad and Cassi recap the themes of, and fights during the 2026 Texas Democratic Party convention, and touch on some of the other Legislature-related happenings last week.
Justice James Sullivan Talks His Time on the Bench and Path to Office - Episode 35
Texas Supreme Court Justice James "Sully" Sullivan joins the program to discuss his path to the bench, the campaign to retain his seat, and his judicial philosophy.
Good Lord More Screwworm, An Electric Slide, and Seeming Resolution on Camp Mystic - Episode 34
The fellas run the gamut of happenings this week, including more screwworm, a final report on last year's floods, and a Libertarian announces himself.
Fear and Loathing in Houston - Episode 33
Ragged and tattered, the guys check in from the 2026 Texas GOP Convention in Houston. They recap the biennial event, the result of the chair's race, and the elephant in the room (literally).
Screwed by the Worm, A Not-So-Secret GOP Summit, and Jane Bids Adieu - Episode 32
The fellas wax poetic about the Great Screwworm Invasion of 2026, a not-so-super-secret GOP summit planning for November, and the abrupt resignation by Texas' Secretary of State.
One Election Ends, New Ones Begin - Episode 31
The guys recount the biggest takeaways and surprises of the primary runoff, scratch the surface on the newly set general election matchups, and preview the Texas GOP chairman's race.
Texas Runoff Preview and What Comes Next - Episode 30
Brad and Cassi preview next week's runoffs and the late-developing events of this week, including President Trump making his pick in the Senate race and Gov. Abbott's stern warning to donors.
Show Me The Warranto, Chip on the Shoulder, Committee Chaos - Episode 29
The guys run through the Texas Supreme Court's decision not to eject state Rep. Gene Wu from his seat, a leaked recording of Ken Paxton about the attorney general race, and the bevy of committee hearings that played out in the Legislature.
Jerome Greener, Texas Regulatory Efficiency Office - Episode 28
The newly created Texas Regulatory Efficiency Office, colloquially known as Texas DOGE, is launching its first project mandated by the 2025 Legislature. Director Jerome Greener details the agency, its purpose, and its new tool designed to more ...