Seeing Red: A Texas Politics Podcast

Garrett Fulce
  • 5.0 (22)
  • Politics
  • Updated Weekly

Seeing Red: A Texas Politics Podcast is where Texas politics gets the scrutiny it deserves. Hosted by strategist and writer Garrett Fulce, the show features in-depth conversations with lawmakers, activists, and insiders shaping policy in Austin and beyond. Each week, Garrett cuts through the noise with candid interviews and sharp commentary—bringing listeners beyond the talking points to the real mechanics of power in Texas.

  1. 8h ago

    What Republicans Are Missing About 2026 (w/ Konni Burton)

    Texas Republicans left Houston with a new party chair, new priorities and a familiar challenge: can the party stay united long enough to win in November? In this episode of Seeing Red, Garrett Fulce breaks down the Republican Party of Texas convention before sitting down with former State Senator and The Texan founder Konni Burton. Garrett's Op-ed: https://www.houstonchronicle.com/opinion/outlook/article/data-center-texas-execeptionalism-garrett-fulce-22298369.php They discuss: • Dorinda Randall's election as Texas GOP Chair • The calls for party unity from Abbott, Patrick and Burrows • Why 2018 still haunts Republicans • Coalition shifts among suburban voters, Latinos and union households • The future of conservative media • Why Konni launched The Texan • The growing problem of activist journalism • Texas' opportunity to become America's data center capital Whether you're a grassroots activist, political junkie or simply trying to understand where Texas politics is headed, this conversation provides a candid look at the challenges facing both parties. Subscribe for weekly Texas political analysis, interviews and commentary. 00:00 Texas GOP convention recap 01:45 Dorinda Randall elected chair 02:15 Burrows boos and party unity 04:20 Why Republicans are worried 05:26 Konni Burton joins the show 06:19 Lessons from the 2018 election 08:43 How Beto changed Texas politics 11:27 Why down-ballot races matter 13:26 The danger for Republicans in 2026 17:07 Matt Talarico and candidate quality 19:24 Coalition shifts in both parties 23:05 Why data centers matter 30:34 Konni Burton's political journey 37:00 Founding The Texan 44:16 Journalism versus activism 53:09 The future of media in Texas Connect With Our Guest Konni Burton The Texan: https://thetexan.news X: https://x.com/KonniBurton The Texan on X: https://x.com/TheTexanNews Subscribe YouTube: https://youtube.com/@SeeingRedPodcast Substack: https://seeingredpod.substack.com X: https://x.com/GWFulce Email: hosts@seeingredpodcast.com Find us at seeingredpodcast.substack.com for full episodes. Follow us on all socials at @theseeingredpod and online at our website Seeing Red Podcast. x.com/gwfulce

    54 min

  2. Jun 9

    What Actually Matters at the Texas GOP Convention (2026)

    Texas Republicans are gathering in Houston for the Republican Party of Texas Convention—and while most coverage focuses on speeches and personalities, the real action happens in the committees. This week, Garrett Fulce sits down with Texas Voice publisher Mark McCaig to break down how the party platform is built, how legislative priorities are selected, why those priorities matter to lawmakers, and what delegates can expect as convention business gets underway. Garrett and Mark also discuss the race for party chair, the role of the Texas Secretary of State, the debate over open versus closed primaries, and how convention decisions can shape the political fights heading into the next legislative session. 00:00 Welcome to Houston & Convention Week 05:41 RPT Chair Race 10:10 How the Party Platform Works 19:36 Secretary of State & Election Administration 28:47 Legislative Priorities Explained 35:44 Convention Culture & Networking 41:12 School Closures & Demographic Change 49:58 Convention Prep & Final Thoughts Topics include: • How the Texas GOP platform is created • Why legislative priorities matter • The race for the Republican Party Chair • Secretary of State speculation • Open vs. closed primaries • Election integrity debates • School closures and demographic shifts in Texas • What delegates should expect in Houston Follow Mark McCaig and Texas Voice: Texas Voice: https://Thetexasvoice.com X: https://x.com/TheTXVoice Follow Seeing Red: Substack: https://seeingredpodcast.substack.com X: https://x.com/GWFulce Subscribe for weekly conversations on Texas politics, elections, campaigns, public policy and the people shaping the future of the Lone Star State. Find us at seeingredpodcast.substack.com for full episodes. Follow us on all socials at @theseeingredpod and online at our website Seeing Red Podcast. x.com/gwfulce

    49 min

  3. Jun 4

    Texas Republicans Are Walking Into a General Election Buzzsaw

    The 2026 election cycle is already taking shape. In this episode of Seeing Red, Garrett Fulce examines new warnings emerging from Republican strategists about vulnerable legislative districts, turnout challenges, and the impact of the Paxton-Cornyn Senate race on down-ballot Republicans. Later, Mark McCaig joins the show to explain the Republican Party of Texas convention, delegate selection, party leadership elections, the State Republican Executive Committee (SREC), legislative priorities, and how grassroots activists influence the future direction of the Texas GOP. Topics include: • Texas House battleground districts • Republican turnout challenges • General election strategy • The Republican Party of Texas convention • SREC and party governance • Delegate selection • Legislative priorities • Grassroots organizing • Door-knocking and voter outreach Subscribe to Seeing Red for weekly analysis of Texas politics, elections, campaigns, and public policy. 00:00 Texas Senate Race & Down-Ballot Fallout 01:12 Why R+12 Districts Are Suddenly Vulnerable 03:05 Texas House Seats Republicans Could Lose 05:35 Why Paxton Changes Every Race on the Ballot 07:55 Winning Primaries vs. Winning General Elections 10:38 What Is the Republican Party of Texas Convention? 12:40 How Delegates Actually Get Chosen 16:20 The Race for Texas GOP Chairman 18:25 What Does the State Party Chair Actually Do? 20:59 Should Republicans Close Their Primaries? 22:21 Credentials, Rules & Convention Fights 25:36 Can Republicans Stay Unified in 2026? 30:29 How Campaigns Identify Persuadable Voters 32:56 What Is the SREC? 40:44 Inside an SREC Meeting 43:43 How the Texas GOP Has Changed 51:18 Republicans Need a New Message 53:39 The Most Effective Door-Knocking Strategy 1:01:53 What's Next for Seeing Red? Guest Information Mark McCaig Publisher, The Texas Voice Former State Republican Executive Committee (SREC) member Attorney and longtime Texas political activist Follow Mark X/Twitter: @MarkMcCaig // @TheTXVoice Website: TheTexasVoice.com Mark McCaig is the publisher of The Texas Voice, a Texas political news and analysis outlet focused on state government, elections, and conservative politics. A former member of the State Republican Executive Committee, McCaig brings years of experience in party politics and grassroots organizing to discussions about the Republican Party of Texas and the broader Texas political landscape. Find us at seeingredpodcast.substack.com for full episodes. Follow us on all socials at @theseeingredpod and online at our website Seeing Red Podcast. x.com/gwfulce

    1h 1m

  4. May 28

    Paxton, Trump, and GOP Strategy To Keep Texas RED

    In this episode of Seeing Red in Texas Politics, Garrett Fulce delves into the recent political dynamics in Texas, exploring the outcomes of the Senate race where Ken Paxton emerged as a notable figure against John Cornyn. Fulce provides a thorough analysis of Paxton's political journey, including the implications of his past controversies and how they might influence his credibility going forward. The discussion extends to analyze the factors that will shape the upcoming elections, focusing on voter behavior and strategic moves by the Republican Party. As Paxton navigates a landscape littered with past grievances, Fulce breaks down the electoral mechanisms at play, offering a roadmap for what the party needs to retain voter allegiance. Timestamp Summary 0:00 Ken Paxton's Political Journey and Republican Implications 1:57 Republican Strategies to Win Over Disenchanted Voters 5:39 Paxton and Talarico's Political Race Dynamics and Challenges 9:45 The Challenges of Campaigning in Competitive Texas Regions 11:46 Revamping Show Format for Enhanced Engagement and Quality Find us at seeingredpodcast.substack.com for full episodes. Follow us on all socials at @theseeingredpod and online at our website Seeing Red Podcast. x.com/gwfulce

    15 min

  5. Feb 6

    Bots, Ballots, and the #TxLEGE Grind: An Interview w/ Brad Johnson

    Brad Johnson—co-founder and reporter at Texas Bullpen—joins Seeing Red to talk about the real mechanics of Texas politics: how information moves, how power consolidates, and why Twitter matters far more than most people want to admit. Brad walks through the launch of the Texas Bullpen, his path from Ohio to the Texas Capitol, and why he thinks Texas politics is entering a more “traditional” election cycle after years of chaos. We dig into the comptroller’s race, Abbott’s quiet hand in key primaries, and why Ken Paxton continues to survive scandals that would’ve ended other careers. The conversation also pulls back the curtain on the Paxton impeachment trial—what went wrong for prosecutors, how outside pressure shaped the outcome, and why bots and online noise now play a measurable role in legislative behavior. If you want to understand how Texas politics actually functions—not how it’s sold—this episode is required listening. Key Moments & Timestamps 0:00 – Why Texas lawmakers obsess over Twitter replies 0:47 – Launching the Texas Bullpen (and running on adrenaline) 2:31 – Leaving the Texan and betting on independent media 3:06 – “Punchbowl meets old Texas Monthly”: defining the Bullpen lane 9:44 – How redistricting reshaped Texas elections 12:25 – The comptroller’s race and Abbott’s personal stakes 16:42 – Don Huffines, name ID, and why competence suddenly matters 24:31 – Ken Paxton’s political durability—why nothing sticks 31:24 – From tracker to reporter: learning Texas politics the hard way 36:45 – Following Hillary Clinton and the life of a political tracker 40:33 – Twitter bots, fake engagement, and legislative pressure 49:00 – What really happened in the Paxton impeachment trial 54:20 – The Speaker’s race and calendar control as raw power 1:03:18 – What Texas Bullpen is building next Find us at seeingredpodcast.substack.com for full episodes. Follow us on all socials at @theseeingredpod and online at our website Seeing Red Podcast. x.com/gwfulce

    33 min

  6. 12/16/2025

    A Conservative Asks a Democrat to Explain Her Platform — She Didn’t Hold Back

    Garrett Fulce returns to “Seeing Red” after a brief hiatus, discussing local politics with Sara McGee, a Democratic candidate for Texas House District 132. Sara shares her origin story in politics, sparked by a challenging encounter with current representative Mike Schofield, and her advocacy for issues like reproductive rights, public education, and health. The episode explores nuanced views on abortion, the implications of school choice, and Sara’s experiences with social media activism.  0:00 — Cold open  0:42 — Intro + explaining the hiatus  4:00 — McGee’s origin story  8:20 — Abortion: lived experience vs. legislative text 13:00 — Cases of miscarriage, preeclampsia, and medical liability fears 16:30 — Garrett’s rebuttal: moral hierarchy, exceptions, and conservative tensions 20:00 — Fringe bills vs. mainstream Republican thinking 23:00 — Why the abortion debate breaks political messaging 24:00 — Transition to education funding and vouchers Find us at seeingredpodcast.substack.com for full episodes. Follow us on all socials at @theseeingredpod and online at our website Seeing Red Podcast. x.com/gwfulce

    32 min

  7. 10/28/2025

    The Battle to Lead Texas’s Legal Front Line: A Conversation with Aaron Reitz

    In this episode of Seeing Red, Garrett Fulce sits down with Aaron Reitz, candidate for Texas Attorney General. Reitz draws on his background as a Marine Corps officer, senior attorney under Ken Paxton, and Trump-era DOJ official to outline why he believes he’s the most qualified contender for Texas’s top legal job. They dig into: His time leading 46 lawsuits against the Biden administrationHis plan to go on legal offense against federal overreach and urban corruption.Why he sees the AG’s office as “a combat post, not a stepping-stone.”How military discipline and faith shape his leadership style.It’s an insider’s look at a pivotal race in 2026 Texas politics—one that could define the next decade of conservatism. 0:00 “Legal Combat”: What It Takes to Be Texas Attorney General 5:09 From Marine Officer to Statewide Candidate 8:28 Reitz’s Vision for Texas and the Rule of Law 21:23 Crime, Corruption, and Big-City DAs 22:41 Going on Offense: The AG as Legal Warrior 28:34 Border Security, Election Integrity, and Federal Overreach 34:51 Leaving DOJ and Returning to Texas 41:28 Leading 4,000 Employees and 700 Attorneys 53:23 Child-Support Enforcement and Everyday Justice 1:02:09 Recruiting Conservative Legal Talent 1:04:26 Final Thoughts: “The Tip of the Spear for Liberty” Find us at seeingredpodcast.substack.com for full episodes. Follow us on all socials at @theseeingredpod and online at our website Seeing Red Podcast. x.com/gwfulce

    36 min

  8. 10/21/2025

    God, Guns, and the GOP: How Faith and Power Collide in Texas (A conversation with Robert Downen)

    Garrett Fulce talks with Texas Monthly reporter Robert Downen about covering the intersection of faith and politics in Texas. The conversation ranges from Downen’s early work exposing abuse in the Southern Baptist Convention to the current tensions inside the Texas GOP between establishment figures and grassroots activists. They discuss the rise of Christian nationalism, how extremism seeps into policymaking, and what it means to report truthfully in a hyper-polarized environment. Downen also reflects on journalism’s future in the digital era and the ethical tightrope reporters walk when sources see coverage itself as a badge of honor. 0:00 – “Rewarding tantrums”: Garrett’s opening monologue 1:55 – Downen’s path from evangelical roots to journalism 3:18 – From Houston Chronicle to Texas Monthly — how reporting evolved 12:27 – Digital algorithms and the decline of local news 14:28 – Covering politicians and faith leaders who see media as the enemy 23:00 – Inside power struggles and grassroots extremism in Texas GOP 32:57 – Media credibility and public mistrust 34:41 – Online radicalization and political violence 45:12 – How right-wing extremism reshapes policy debate 54:19 – Religion in Texas primaries and future trends 1:08:12 – Closing thoughts on journalism’s role in a fractured state Find us at seeingredpodcast.substack.com for full episodes. Follow us on all socials at @theseeingredpod and online at our website Seeing Red Podcast. x.com/gwfulce

    32 min
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5
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About

Seeing Red: A Texas Politics Podcast is where Texas politics gets the scrutiny it deserves. Hosted by strategist and writer Garrett Fulce, the show features in-depth conversations with lawmakers, activists, and insiders shaping policy in Austin and beyond. Each week, Garrett cuts through the noise with candid interviews and sharp commentary—bringing listeners beyond the talking points to the real mechanics of power in Texas.

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