Dallas, TX
Nikki Haley tells Dallas crowd she’s Republicans’ best hope in November
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/dmn/7WXKG46YW5E5JF3IWL3KCFXZ5Q.jpg?ssl=1 "Nikki Haley tells Dallas crowd she’s Republicans’ best hope in November")
Former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley, in Dallas for a political rally, said Thursday that she was the last hope Republicans had of beating President Joe Biden in the November election.
“Republicans have lost the last seven out of eight popular votes. That’s nothing to be proud of,” Haley told a large crowd at Gilley’s Dallas. “The only way we’re going to win the majority of Americans is to have a new, generational conservative leader.”
Haley criticized Donald Trump as too risky to be the GOP presidential nominee, saying “chaos follows him” and that polls show he could lose to Biden.
“If anybody wants to get something done, you first have to win,” she said.
“The people of Texas have a choice to make,” Haley added. “Do we want more of the same, or do we want to go in another direction? More of the same is not just Joe Biden. More of the same is Donald Trump.”
Haley is the last major candidate contesting Trump for the Republican presidential nomination, but the path ahead is difficult. Trump has easily won every GOP presidential contest to this point. A new Winthrop University poll has Trump leading Haley by 36 percentage points in South Carolina, where she was once governor, heading toward that state’s Feb. 24 primary.
The March 5 Texas primary is just as daunting. A University of Houston Hobby School of Public Affairs poll released last month has Trump with a 61 percentage point lead over Haley.
Haley was positive about her predicament, saying she’s done better than the other candidates in the race.
“I just got one more fella I got to catch up to,” she said.
During her speech, Haley said she would restore the middle class, help small businesses, improve health care for veterans and export as much “liquefied gas as we possibly can” to boost the energy sector.
She also called for congressional term limits, the elimination of earmarks, and putting an additional 25,000 federal agents along the southern border with Mexico.
“Instead of catch and release, we’ll go to catch and deport,” she said.
Haley also called for mental competency tests for officials over the age of 75.
“We have people who are 75 who can run circles around us,” she said. “And then we know Joe Biden.”
Haley’s Dallas trip included a fundraiser hosted by real estate developer Harlan Crow, oil and gas producer Ray Lee Hunt and billionaire Trevor Rees-Jones.
Texas Democrats criticized Haley’s fundraiser with Crow.
“In her race towards the bottom with Donald Trump, Haley is fundraising in secret with Harlan Crow – who showered Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas with millions of dollars worth of gifts – while trying to spin her extreme anti-abortion record, her ties to notorious election deniers, and her support of gutting Social Security and Medicare,” Texas Democratic Party Chairman Gilberto Hinojosa said in a statement.
Organizers said nearly 1,000 people attended the rally, where supporters said it was important that Haley remain in the race.
“She’s smart, she’s got common sense and she can lead the nation,” said Diane Lagow, a retiree from Dallas. “She needs to keep speaking positively and don’t let Trump rattle her.”
Lagow’s husband, welder Charles Lagow, said Haley had integrity.
“She needs to keep doing what she’s doing,” he said. “She’s standing for what she believes in, and she conveys that when she talks.”
Douglas Duncan, a 63-year-old Dallasite who works in information technology, said Haley is the best GOP candidate since Ronald Reagan.
“She needs to beat expectations each time until people realize she’s an alternative to Trump,” he said.
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Duncan, a Republican, said Haley was a long shot in Texas.
Gov. Rick Perry, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, Attorney General Ken Paxton and numerous other elected officials have endorsed Trump.
“I hope she does well, but Trump has this state pretty locked up,” he said.
Philip Huber, a retired physician who lives in Dallas, said he’s an independent voter who supports abortion rights and a ban on military-style weapons for those not in the military.
“It’s hard,” he said when asked what kind of candidate he would support. “I think she would permit pro-choice and I hope that will be a referendum in Texas.”
Haley has called for a “consensus” on the abortion issue. She also said she would support federal restrictions on abortion.
Haley’s speech was interrupted numerous times by protesters against the Israeli-Hamas War.
“You’ve got to give them an A for spirit,” Haley said of the people trying to disrupt her rally. “I’ll give them that.”
Haley’s Texas swing included a visit to the Houston Chronicle’s editorial board. On Friday, she’s scheduled to have a meet-and-greet in San Antonio.
In Dallas, Haley was introduced by former Fort Worth Mayor Betsy Price.
“We need a strong conservative whose principles stay with her,” Price said. “Nikki can relate to each and every one of you. She has a wonderful American story.”
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The Dallas Cowboys are not wasting any time adding to their roster once again after putting together a talented rookie class during the 2026 NFL Draft.
Dallas has now shifted its focus back to free agency, as the Cowboys signed two-time Super Bowl champion wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling to a one-year deal on Monday. Originally a member of the Green Bay Packers, “MVS” won two rings with the Kansas City Chiefs before journeying his way across the league the past two seasons.
The move gives Dallas a veteran wide receiver behind CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens while also adding championship experience to the roster. The Cowboys already lost Jalen Tolbert in free agency this offseason and only managed to add wide receiver Anthony Smith in the seventh round during the draft.
But Valdes-Scantling was just the start. After that news broke, the Cowboys showed that they are certainly not done with adding more free agents this offseason, making two additions at both wide receiver and linebacker.
More Help Coming for Dallas Cowboys at LB and WR
The Cowboys announced Monday that they have also signed former New York Jets wide receiver Tyler Johnson and former San Francisco 49ers linebacker Curtis Robinson to one-year deals.
Johnson, like Valdes-Scanlting, is a Super Bowl champion, having won a ring during his rookie season in 2020 with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Both players now bring some valuable veteran depth the offense and could find themselves in position to make some key plays down the stretch of next season.
In 61 career games in the regular season (13 starts), Johnson has tallied 88 catches for 1,025 yards and five touchdowns. He’s also appeared in six career playoff games, including Super Bowl LV. Across those six postseason contests, he posted seven catches for 76 yards.
Johnson also spent time with the Houston Texans and Los Angeles Rams.
As for Robinson, he now adds some much-needed depth at linebacker for the Cowboys, who recently traded for 49ers linebacker Dee Winters during the draft. The two of them will be reunited in Dallas after spending the past three seasons together in San Francisco.
In 29 games and three starts, Robinson has posted 52 total tackles (26 solo) and one pass breakup.
Cowboys fans will have to keep a close eye in the coming weeks to see if Dallas makes another flurry of moves in free agency.
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The Dallas Cowboys were able to draft players who will surely help this roster in this past weekend’s amateur haul. But as COO Stephen Jones continues to tell Cowboys’ fans, free agency is 24/7, and they are always looking to improve the roster. Well, now is the perfect time.
The draft is over, and players who were left in limbo before the draft may be more willing to take smaller deals to sign with a team. Dallas has an opportunity to bring in these veteran free agents, adding experience and talent to the roster. Here are four free agents the Cowboys should check in with and try signing after the draft.
Zamir White
Career Stats: 45 games, 198 rushes for 736 yards and 2 touchdowns, 25 receptions for 152 yardsFans shouldn’t let last year’s stat line fool them, White is an impressive running back who has been stuck behind a porous offensive line and highly drafted starting running backs the majority of his career. He’s sat behind , Josh Jacobs and Ashton Jeanty.
In 2023, he had a much larger role in the offense, and his production was a lot better. White would end the season with 451 yards on 104 carries, 15 receptions for 98 yards.
In Dallas, White would be running behind a much better offensive line and would be a nice complement to Javonte Williams, and give the Cowboys a receiving threat out of the backfield. Sometimes, a change of scenery can change a player’s career path. White could follow in Williams’ footsteps if he lands in Dallas.
Deebo Samuel
Career Stats: 406 receptions for 5,519 yards and 27 touchdowns, 219 carries for 1,218 yards and 21 touchdownsThe Cowboys’ experiment with KaVontae Turpin at receiver isn’t showing the results they’d hoped for on the field. If Dallas were to add Samuel, the plays they have for Turpin can still be utilized with Samuel. A proven dual-threat, Samuel would give this Cowboys offense one of the more dangerous underneath receivers in the league, especially with CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens garnering more of the focus on the outside.Samuel was able to produce with the Washington Commanders last season, catching 72 passes for 727 yards and 5 touchdowns. He also had 17 carries for 75 yards and one touchdown, a decent stat line for a receiver who dealt with quarterback injuries throughout the season. With Dak Prescott under center, Samuel’s number could be even better than they were last season.
Rasul Douglas
Career Stats: 135 games, 503 total tackles, 21 interceptions, 92 passes defended, and 3 sacksA team can never have too many cornerbacks, especially when it’s the Cowboys, who last season had the worst secondary in the league. After a solid 2025 season with the Miami Dolphins, Douglas would be a welcome addition to the roster. Douglas has played in a Vic Fangio defense before, while in Miami, making his learning curve under Dallas’ defensive coordinator Christian Parker easier than that of other cornerbacks.He would also give this team another veteran in the secondary who has seen everything you can throw at a cornerback, who can help teach the younger cornerbacks in the room.
Bobby Wagner
Career Stats: 2,000 total tackles, 107 tackles for loss, 39.5 sacks, and 76 passes defendedThe ageless Bobby Wagner continues to defy the odds and produce at a high level in the NFL, despite his age. The reason Dallas would like to add Wagner is his football IQ and ability to teach and help on the field. A field general in the middle of this defense, and much like Douglas, Wagner has seen almost everything a linebacker could see thrown at them.While teaching the Cowboys’ new linebackers, he would boost their run defense, something Dallas is always looking for from the linebacker position.
If Dallas were to add any of these players, they would bring added production with them at positions where the Cowboys need improvement.
The Dallas Mavericks are searching for a new general manager/president of basketball operations after firing Nico Harrison in November. Team governor Patrick Dumont has set his sights high, looking for a premier target to take over the team. He was able to convince Hall of Famer Rick Welts to come out of retirement to be the CEO, and now he thinks he can do the same for this role.
The most commonly connected target has been Tim Connelly, the president of basketball operations of the Minnesota Timberwolves. He is still under contract, and he no longer has an out. However, according to the latest Stein Line, it is still possible he could be on the move.
“…While Connelly is said to no longer hold an opt-out provision in his current contract, belief persists in various league circles that there are scenarios that would render him ‘gettable’ once Minnesota’s 2025-26 season is complete.”
If he is attainable, it won’t be until after the Timberwolves’ playoff run ends. They’re currently up 3-1 on the Denver Nuggets, who Connelly previously helped build, but Anthony Edwards will be out for a few weeks with a bone bruise and hyperextension in his left knee, and Donte DiVincenzo tore his Achilles. Both of those injuries happened in Game 4, so even if they pull out the series, they may be overmatched in the next series.
What would make Connelly leave Minnesota, though? He’s built a team that has made two straight Western Conference Finals appearances. Considering the franchise had just one appearance in its existence prior to this run, it’s hard to ask for much more. Anthony Edwards is a young superstar, and he has a nearly perfect roster around him.
However, Cooper Flagg may just have that much draw to him. Even if the Mavericks don’t have a lot of valuable draft capital to help build the team around Flagg, a lot of executives would love the opportunity to build a team around him.
How Should Mavericks Fans Feel if Tim Connelly is the Choice?
Tim Connelly has made some risky trades in his time running the Timberwolves, sending out a massive haul to bring in Rudy Gobert, and also making the controversial Karl-Anthony Towns for Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo trade right before last season started.
You can’t deny his ability to build championship contenders, though. The Mavericks were a championship contender before the Luka Doncic trade, even beating Connelly’s Timberwolves to get to the NBA Finals, but they need a new rebuild around Cooper Flagg. With a lottery pick to pair with him this offseason, they have to make every decision correctly.
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