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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

Barely true

Ken Paxton
Ken Paxton

Says Ken Paxton "shut down the world’s largest human trafficking marketplace."

— PolitiFact Texas on Thursday, November 1st, 2018

Mostly False

Congress hasn't voted on shielding MS-13 members

Donald Trump
Donald Trump

Says Beto O’Rourke "voted to shield MS-13 gang members from deportation."

— PolitiFact Texas on Thursday, October 25th, 2018

Mostly False

He turns a vote 'against' one thing into a vote 'for' another

Ted Cruz
Ted Cruz

Says Beto O'Rourke "voted in favor of a $10 a barrel tax on every barrel of oil produced in the state of Texas."

— PolitiFact Texas on Friday, October 19th, 2018

True

UPDATED: Worsted only by James DeMint?

Beto O'Rourke
Beto O'Rourke

Says "only one other senator from either party over the last 25 years" has "a worse record on bipartisanship" than Ted Cruz.  

— PolitiFact Texas on Thursday, October 18th, 2018

Half-True

Freshwater swimming poses risks

Alexander Strenger
Alexander Strenger

Says 60 percent of Austin’s "waterways are found to be contaminated with fecal matter and deemed unsafe to swim."

— PolitiFact Texas on Tuesday, October 16th, 2018

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

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