Best in Texas

2017 wasn't all bad... there were some really good moments and movements.

When tragedy struck, Texans took action to aid their neighbors. Stories of everyday folks with boats endangering their own lives to save others and strangers taking in those who’d lost everything were seemingly endless. 

• In Texas, not all heroes wear capes
• Doctor braves Harvey flooding in canoe to perform teen's surgery
• She worked six straight days in the NICU during Harvey, then she went into labor
• Deputies who rescued truck driver during Harvey share their story

Thousands of Houstonians still need our support. The full Harvey recovery effort will take years. See how you can still help.

And our runners-up...

Worst in Texas

Sadly, we never seem to have a shortage of candidates for this dubious award.

The Texas Senate lived under Patrick’s reign of terror for much of 2017. He forced the entire legislature back into a special session to continue to wage a war against trans people, public education, unions, and reproductive freedom.

• All the awful bills Texas Lt. Governor Dan Patrick passed in special session
• Lt. Gov. Patrick fast tracks awful AF bills through Texas Senate this weekend
• Worst. Legislature. Ever. How Did We Get Here?
• Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick blames cities for "all our problems in America"

And our runners-up...

Honorable mention: Donna Campbell

We have to give a special shoutout to Republican State Senator Donna Campbell (SD-25). Senator Campbell, who was not nominated this year but is truly terrible, received an impressive amount of write-in votes. In fact, so many readers wrote her name in that she ended up in 4th place. Congrats (?) to Senator Campbell!