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John Bridges

Managing editor, Austin American-Statesman

John Bridges is the managing editor of the Austin American-Statesman. An American-Statesman employee for more than 20 years, he previously served as the newspaper's senior editor for local and state news, national editor, news editor, metro editor and sports editor. His duties include oversight of PolitiFact Texas.

The latest Truth-O-Meter items from John Bridges

Mostly False

Only if you count medicinal uses, man

Beto O'Rourke
Beto O'Rourke

Says marijuana is "legal in most states in this country."

— PolitiFact Texas on Friday, October 5th, 2018

Half-True

Groups can spurn gay applicants

Beto O'Rourke
Beto O'Rourke

Says that in Texas, "you can be too gay to adopt" a foster child "who needs a loving home."  

— PolitiFact Texas on Thursday, October 4th, 2018

Mostly False

O'Rourke referred to "system"

Ted Cruz
Ted Cruz

Says Beto O’Rourke described police as "modern-day Jim Crow."

— PolitiFact Texas on Tuesday, September 25th, 2018

Mostly False

Unidentified witness said otherwise

Beto O'Rourke
Beto O'Rourke

Says he "did not try to leave the scene of the accident" that led to his arrest for driving while intoxicated.

— PolitiFact Texas on Tuesday, September 25th, 2018

False

UPDATED: O'Rourke opposes border militarization

Texans Are
Texans Are

Says Beto O’Rourke voted "against body armor for Texas sheriffs patrolling the border."  

— PolitiFact Texas on Thursday, September 13th, 2018

Pants on Fire!

Historically holey

Ken Paxton
Ken Paxton

Says Texas has "had over 600,000 crimes committed by illegals since 2011. Over 1,200 homicides."  

— PolitiFact Texas on Friday, September 7th, 2018

True

Measured since 1996

Greg Abbott
Greg Abbott

Says Texas "high school graduation rates are at all-time highs."  

— PolitiFact Texas on Friday, September 7th, 2018

False

UPDATED: Asked, not answered

Ted Cruz
Ted Cruz

Says Beto O’Rourke said he’s grateful that people are burning or desecrating the American flag.

— PolitiFact Texas on Wednesday, September 5th, 2018

Mostly True

O'Rourke backed direct aid

Ted Cruz
Ted Cruz

Says Beto O’Rourke "voted against" Hurricane Harvey "tax relief."

— PolitiFact Texas on Wednesday, August 29th, 2018

Mostly True

He's done mass phone calls, Facebook Lives

M.J. Hegar
M.J. Hegar

Says U.S. Rep. John Carter "hasn’t held a town hall in five years."

— PolitiFact Texas on Wednesday, August 29th, 2018

Recent stories from John Bridges

What Ted Cruz, Beto O'Rourke got right and wrong in Senate debate

How did they do?
On

Fact-checking Greg Abbott's 'Promises Kept' TV ad

We're fact-checking an education claim in Greg Abbott's new TV ad.
On

How Geraldo Rivera touched off Dan Patrick's debate challenge

Here's how.
On

Why Rafael Cruz goes by Ted and Robert O’Rourke by Beto

Why Rafael Cruz goes by Ted and Robert O’Rourke by Beto...
On

UPDATED: Ted Cruz ad hearkens to Beto O'Rourke's 2009 call for debate on legalizing narcotics

A new Ted Cruz ad says Beto O’Rourke called for considering legalization of all narcotics.
On

UPDATED: How Beto O'Rourke is a yes and no on impeaching Donald Trump now

Yes and no.
On

Ken Paxton no longer nation's only indicted statewide official

Ken Paxton's reign as the nation's sole indicted statewide official didn't last long.
On

Ted Cruz 'SUMMONS ENCLOSED' envelopes might deceive--but mailers aren't illegal

We review a Ted Cruz campaign mailer inside a brownish envelope.
On

Greg Abbott ad about 'too liberal' Lupe Valdez looks mostly factual

We look at the factual claims in a May 10, 2018, Greg Abbott video ad critical of Democrat Lupe Valdez.
On

Did Greg Abbott activate Texas troops to monitor Jade Helm 15?

A fresh claim reminds us of a past fact-check.
On