Grotto Ristorante (Galleria / Westheimer Area)
4715 Westheimer Rd
Houston, TX 77027
Thursday, May 7, 2026
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
Rotarians and guests are cordially invited to listen to Brandon Rottinghaus, Ph.D., as he delves into the colorful world of Texas politics. As a leading expert on political scandals and co-host of Party Politics on PBS, Dr. Rottinghaus brings a blend of rigorous scholarship and sharp wit to the study of those who have pushed the boundaries of public trust, examining the personality-driven power struggles that define Texas government
Professor, Department of Political Science
University of Houston
Brandon Rottinghaus is a Professor in the Department of Political Science at the University of Houston. He holds a Ph.D. in political science from Northwestern University. His teaching and research interests include the presidency, political scandals, public opinion, and Texas politics. He is the author of the books Inside Texas Politics, Current Debates in the Lone Star State, Inside American Government (all Oxford University Press), Rick Perry: A Political Life (University of Texas Press), and Scandal: How Politicians Survive Controversy in a Polarized Era (Columbia University Press). He is the co-director of the Presidential Greatness Project. He is the co-host of Party Politics, a PBS TV8 program, radio show, and podcast on Houston Public Media, a political analyst for KHOU 11 in Houston, and the creator and host of Texperts, a political primer podcast and radio segment on Hello Houstonon Houston Public Media.
