Government & Development
Expenses rising higher than expected revenue has city looking at challenging budget for fiscal 2026-27
City officials say specialized expenses—such as emergency vehicles, road materials and public-safety facilities—are increasing much faster than tax and fee collections Lubbock officials are preparing for a difficult 2026-27 budget process as modest revenue growth collides with rapidly increasing costs for vehicles, construction materials, employee compensation and other municipal needs. City Manager Jarrett Atkinson and members of the Lubbock City…
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Sell’s experience-first campaign defeats Enriquez’s grassroots bid in District 19 runoff
Certified results ended Matt Smith’s recount deliberations before Tom Sell won the Republican nomination with more than 64% of the vote. LUBBOCK, Texas — Tom Sell’s emphasis on agricultural policy experience and relationships across West Texas ultimately prevailed over Abraham Enriquez’s populist, pro-Trump campaign in the Republican race for Texas’…
Former Lubbock GOP chair’s runoff analysis highlighted divide between party establishment and insurgent candidates
Former Lubbock County Republican Party Chairman Cole Shooter viewed the May 2026 primary runoffs as tests of incumbency, party loyalty and the changing identity of the Texas GOP. Shooter, who led the county party from 2020 through 2024, offered his analysis after the March primary sent several statewide and local…
Lubbock County game room lawsuit remains pending after temporary order expands operating hours
A lawsuit challenging Lubbock County’s revised game room regulations remains unresolved, but a temporary court order has already blocked two of the restrictions targeted by the business that filed the case. El Fronteriso and its owner, Eric Thompson, sued the county in March 2026, alleging commissioners exceeded their legal authority…
Where Lubbock County residents voted in the March 3, 2026 primary elections
Editor’s note: The March 3, 2026 primary elections have concluded. This article is retained as an archival guide to the Election Day voting centers. Registered Lubbock County voters could cast ballots at any of 35 countywide voting centers during the Republican and Democratic primary elections on Tuesday, March 3, 2026.…
Game room owner sues Lubbock County; temporary court order eases new restrictions
A Lubbock County game room owner followed through on his threat to sue the county after commissioners sharply reduced operating hours and imposed additional requirements on the businesses. Eric Thompson, owner of El Fronteriso in southeast Lubbock County, filed the lawsuit in March 2026. He is asking a court to…
Lubbock’s Gulrez Khan made congressional term limits the focus of his U.S. Senate campaign
Lubbock healthcare executive Gulrez “Gus” Khan entered the 2026 Republican primary for the U.S. Senate arguing that many of Washington’s problems could be addressed by preventing politicians from remaining in Congress for decades. Khan proposed limiting members of both the House and Senate to 12 years of service. He said…