Texas has entered the season of giving.
In the spirit of goodwill, here’s a holiday gift guide for those who push, pull or sometimes get tangled in the machinery of governing.
In recent years, the grinch in me took a break from dishing out holiday gifts, but the state’s power players were extraordinarily naughty and nice this political year. And 2026 promises to be the best midterm election season this decade.
Here’s hoping these leaders take their presents in good humor and enjoy a holiday season full of rest in advance of an interesting 2026.
See you in January.
Gov. Greg Abbott A tin of “school choice sprinkles”
Abbott was relentless in his push for private school vouchers, reminding every lawmaker in Austin where real leverage lives. The governor will need a sugar rush and much more to achieve his next big goal: his reelection and call for abolishing property taxes levied by school districts.
Political Points
Gov. Greg Abbott watches the first half of the Big 12 Championship football game between Texas Tech and BYU at AT&T Stadium, Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, in Arlington.
Elías Valverde II / Staff Photographer
Lt. Gov. Dan PatrickA hemp-derived THC product membership rewards card
In a news conference defending his push for a total ban on gummies, vapes, edibles and other consumables made with hemp-derived tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), Patrick lined a table with such products purchased at Texas retailers.
Abbott vetoed legislation that would have resulted in a total ban, so if Patrick goes shopping for THC products to use in another announcement, he’ll get a discount.
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick (right) speaks to reporters alongside House Speaker Dustin Burrows, R-Lubbock, outside a joint hearing of the Texas Senate and House Select Committees on disaster preparedness and flooding, Thursday, July 31, 2025, in Kerrville.
Elías Valverde II / Staff Photographer
House Speaker Dustin BurrowsThe movie 12 Angry Men
The 1957 legal drama tells the story of how one juror got his 11 counterparts to agree that a defendant they thought guilty was innocent.
The Texas House had 88 Republicans for this year’s regular legislative session, leaving the party in control 12 votes from the 100 votes needed to approve constitutional amendments.
To get constitutional amendment proposals through the 150-member House, Burrows, R-Lubbock, had to channel his inner Henry Fonda and get 12 Democrats to vote with Republicans.
U.S. Rep. Jasmine CrockettA snow globe that swirls each time her name trends
Even before she announced a Senate campaign, Crockett proved she could ignite a social media flurry faster than a Texas winter storm. Next year, the eyes of the nation will be on the Dallas Democrat as she runs her first statewide campaign.
Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Dallas, a member of the House Judiciary Committee, arrives to interview former Department of Justice Special Counsel Jack Smith for a sworn deposition as part of the oversight into DOJ investigations into President Donald Trump, on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
J. Scott Applewhite / AP
State Rep. James TalaricoExtra credit in seminary school
In his quest for Senate, Talarico, an Austin Democrat, leans heavily on his faith, often urging Texans wanting more from their leaders to flip tables as the “barefoot rabbi” did when driving peddlers from the Jerusalem temple.
Blending the gospel with a Senate campaign should count toward Talarico’s graduation.
State Rep. James Talarico expresses his vision for the future after recently announcing he is running in the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate at Deep Ellum Art Company in Dallas on Sept. 18, 2025.
Steve Hamm / Special Contributor
Sen. John Cornyn, Attorney General Ken Paxton, Rep. Wesley HuntDinner with The Donald
President Donald Trump’s endorsement would carry massive weight for any member of the trio scrambling for the GOP Senate nomination. Dinner with Trump could give one of them an edge, especially if they confess “tariffs” is their favorite word.
U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, is seeking reelection to a fifth six-year term. He faces primary challenges from U.S. Rep. Wesley Hunt, R-Houston, and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton.
The Associated Press
Frederick Haynes IIIAdam Clayton Powell Jr.: The Political Biography of an American Dilemma
Haynes, senior pastor at Friendship-West Baptist Church, is heavily favored to replace Crockett in Congress. From his megachurch platform, he’s been active in social justice movements, civil rights and holding elected leaders accountable.
The Rev. Frederick Haynes III, pastor of Friendship-West Baptist Church, speaks to The Dallas Morning News at the church, Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2024, about a proposed distribution center on an 18-acre parcel of land on Wheatland Road.
Chitose Suzuki / Staff Photographer
In 1944, Adam Clayton Powell Jr., the charismatic leader of Harlem’s Abyssinian Baptist Church, won a historic election to Congress.
A student of history, Haynes is familiar with Powell’s story and it’s especially relevant now amid the campaign. Charles V. Hamilton’s book is one of the most extensive biographies of Powell.
The March primary race includes former state Rep. Barbara Mallory Caraway of Dallas.
Sen. Ted CruzCompanion book to Guy Fieri’s Food Network show Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives
Cruz is widely expected to run for president in 2028, his second bid for that office. He can get a head start visiting the popular cafes and watering holes in early contest states like Iowa and New Hampshire.
Mayor Eric JohnsonA red MAGA cap
A couple of years ago, Johnson took to wearing the kind of Western hat you see in a Taylor Sheridan saga. He should switch it out for a red, Trump-style Make America Great Again cap.
For much of the year, speculation swirled that Johnson would leave City Hall to run for higher office. Potential bids for Congress and Texas attorney general got most of the chatter, even as Johnson insisted he wasn’t going anywhere.
Dallas Mavericks CEO Rick Welts (left) visits with Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson during a second half timeout in the Sacramento Kings game at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, February 10, 2025.
Tom Fox / Staff Photographer
Johnson, who in 2023 switched parties from Democrat to Republican, must court hard-core conservatives for any future run. If he’s not headed for a cameo on Landman, wearing a MAGA cap is about as clear a nod to GOP leadership as it gets.
City Manager Kimberly Bizor TolbertA reinforced “Keep Dallas Running” tote
Tolbert’s carryall has to be durable enough to hold budgets, bond packages, staffing shortages and the existential question of what City Hall will look like in 2030.
City Manager Kimberly Bizor Tolbert speaks during a City Council meeting, Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025, at Dallas City Hall.
Chitose Suzuki / Staff Photographer
DART CEO Nadine LeeA transit map printed on Teflon
The future of the regional light rail service is on the line, and Lee needs to navigate spicy debates among several member cities threatening to drop out.
DART CEO Nadine Lee speaks during the EVIA Trinity Mills Station grand opening event on Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025, in Carrollton.
Christine Vo / Staff Photographer
Dallas Mavericks owner Miriam AdelsonA holiday stocking stuffed with campaign receipts
Adelson, the Las Vegas casino magnate who owns the Dallas Mavericks, has poured millions in donations into pro-gambling candidates, only to watch efforts to expand Texas gambling crap out in Austin.
President Donald Trump listens as Miriam Adelson speaks during a Hanukkah reception in the East Room of the White House, Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Alex Brandon / AP
With Texas legislative and executive offices up for grabs next year, expect Adelson and pro-gambling forces to play the long game and continue to back candidates who support casino gaming and sports betting.