Rice University experts offered significant insights into the Texas primary runoff elections held today, May 27, 2026, alongside contributions to discussions on national and local issues. Mark Jones, the Joseph D. Jamail Chair in Latin American Studies and a fellow at Rice's Baker Institute for Public Policy, was widely quoted by national media outlets, providing commentary on the closely watched races, including the high-stakes contest between Ken Paxton and John Cornyn.
Bill King, a fellow in public finance at the Baker Institute, also shared his perspectives on Texas politics and the Cornyn-Paxton runoff during interviews. Their analyses helped illuminate the complexities of the state's political landscape and the potential implications of the election outcomes.
Beyond politics, Rice researchers contributed to critical local and scientific discussions. The Kinder Institute for Urban Research, with analysts Debolina Banerjee and Steve Sherman, featured prominently for its study on FEMA's proposed flood maps for the Houston area, highlighting potential impacts on northern Harris County. Alumna Patricia Reiff, associate director for outreach programs at the Rice Space Institute, was quoted regarding NASA's moon base plans and their Texas connections.
Further demonstrating its diverse expertise, Rice was recognized as the seventh most beautiful college campus in the U.S. by Travel + Leisure magazine. Matteo Pasquali, director of Rice's Carbon Hub, discussed new paths to sustainable nanotube materials, while Katharine Neill Harris addressed debates on intoxicating hemp restrictions.