From Texas elected officials to candidates on the campaign trail, from courtroom battles with Big Tech to the NBA, the Spring 2026 semester brought some of the most compelling voices in public life to the LBJ School.
The Patman Center for Civic and Political Engagement at the LBJ School of Public Affairs concluded another remarkable semester of LBJ Conversations with Evan Smith — a speaker series that placed students in direct conversation with the politicians, public servants, and civic leaders shaping the moment we are in. True to its mission of fostering bipartisan understanding and civic engagement, the Spring 2026 series delivered a wide ideological spectrum of guests, exposing students to the full complexity of Texas and national politics.
The semester featured a conversation with Joe Straus, former Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives and one of the most respected figures in modern Texas politics. A Republican who built a reputation for pragmatic, consensus-driven leadership, Straus offered students a candid look at how political norms are shifting — and what those changes mean for governance, leadership, and civic life in Texas and beyond.
Bobby Pulido, award-winning Tejano artist and congressional candidate for Texas' 15th District, brought a distinctive and deeply personal perspective to the conversation, discussing his campaign for Congress and the issues shaping communities along the Texas-Mexico border. A native of the Rio Grande Valley and lifelong resident of Edinburg, Pulido's conversation was a reminder that civic engagement takes many forms — and that public service can emerge from the most unexpected places.
Students also heard from Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett, one of the most dynamic and outspoken progressive voices in Congress, who discussed her 2026 campaign for U.S. Senate and the future of Texas politics. Known for her bold leadership style, Crockett offered an energizing and forward-looking conversation about what is at stake for Texas Democrats and the state's evolving political landscape.
Matt Krause, Tarrant County Commissioner and former Republican Texas state representative, brought a local government perspective to the series, discussing the issues shaping Tarrant County — from infrastructure and community services to the broader political climate influencing Texas cities. His conversation offered students an important reminder that civic leadership and public service extend far beyond the halls of Congress.
State Representative Caroline Fairly, Texas' youngest state representative and a voice for the Texas Panhandle, reflected on her experience serving in the Texas Legislature as one of its newest and youngest members. An Amarillo native, Fairly discussed the key issues impacting families across West Texas and her commitment to strengthening her community through practical, service-driven leadership — a perspective that resonated deeply with students interested in representing rural communities.
The series also welcomed Don Huffines, former Texas State Senator and the Republican nominee for Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts. Huffines offered a conservative perspective on state spending, fiscal policy, and the future of Texas' finances — sparking thoughtful discussion about the role of government in managing one of the nation's fastest-growing economies.
One of the semester's most talked-about conversations came from Raúl Torrez, New Mexico's 32nd Attorney General and former senior advisor in the U.S. Department of Justice. Fresh off a landmark legal victory against Meta Platforms, Torrez brought students inside one of the most consequential legal battles shaping the future of Big Tech accountability — offering a rare, behind-the-scenes look at the strategy, high-stakes decisions, and legal arguments that defined the case.
Brooke Paup, Chairwoman of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, brought nearly two decades of state government experience to her conversation with Evan Smith. With a distinguished record in water policy leadership, Paup discussed the critical issues shaping Texas' environmental future — from water supply challenges to rural community concerns — offering students a grounded, expert perspective on one of the state's most pressing long-term challenges.
In one of the semester's most unique and memorable conversations, Chris Bosh — NBA Hall of Famer and Olympic gold medalist — joined Evan Smith to reflect on his storied basketball career and the leadership lessons he learned on and off the court, before turning to a thoughtful discussion on the current state of democracy and the political moment we are living in today. Bosh's appearance underscored one of the series' core values: that civic leadership and democratic engagement extend far beyond the world of politics.
Also, among the semester's most memorable conversations, Ben McKenzie — actor, author, and director, best known for his roles in The O.C. and Gotham — joined Evan Smith for a timely discussion at the intersection of culture, finance, and governance. The author of Easy Money: Cryptocurrency, Casino Capitalism, and the Golden Age of Fraud, a New York Times bestseller, and director of the documentary Everyone Is Lying to You for Money, McKenzie has been described by TIME Magazine as a leading voice in the anti-crypto movement. A University of Virginia graduate with a double major in Economics and Foreign Affairs, McKenzie brought a distinctive and unexpected perspective from Hollywood to public policy — challenging students to think critically about financial accountability, consumer protection, and the role of public figures in shaping civic discourse.
Together, the Spring 2026 semester of LBJ Conversations with Evan Smith exemplified what makes the series so distinctive and valuable. By bringing together Republicans and Democrats, elected officials and advocates, artists and athletes, the series challenged students to think beyond partisan lines and engage seriously with the full complexity of civic life in America. From local county commissions to the halls of Congress, from environmental policy to Big Tech accountability, the conversations of Spring 2026 reminded students that the issues shaping our democracy are as varied — and as urgent — as ever.