/https://static.texastribune.org/media/profiles/Ben_Philpot.jpg)
Ben Philpott is a senior reporter for KUT-FM, Austin’s National Public Radio affiliate. He has been covering state politics and dozens of other topics for the station since 2002, during which time he has been recognized for outstanding radio journalism by the Radio and Television News Directors Association, Public Radio News Directors Incorporated, the Houston Press Club and the Texas Associated Press Broadcasters. Before moving to Texas, he worked in public radio in Birmingham and Tuscaloosa, Ala., and at several television stations in Alabama and Tennessee. Born in New York City and raised in Chattanooga, Tennessee, Philpott graduated from the University of Alabama with a degree in broadcast journalism.
Political parties are getting down to the business of state conventions. In Texas, the four top parties will convene, in different cities, this weekend. Ben Philpott reports for KUT News and The Texas Tribune. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/6d30a766148cb41807c24407d36a7e02/BD%20INC%20GOP%20Perry%20Closing%20Speech%202010)
Sen. Jeff Wentworth, R-San Antonio, might have expected a runoff. But instead of well-funded former Railroad Commissioner Elizabeth Ames Jones, he'll go up against Tea Party favorite Donna Campbell. Ben Philpott of KUT News and the Tribune reports. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/WentworthAndCampbell.jpg)
Congressional District 35 runs from Austin to San Antonio. And as Ben Philpott of KUT News and the Tribune reports, that means candidates — including longtime U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett — must weigh the concerns of various constituencies in their bids for the seat. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/LloydDoggett.jpg)
The Tea Party has made lots of noise over the past couple of years. But as Ben Philpott of KUT News and the Tribune reports, in 2012 there’s another group in Texas trying to shake up the establishment — by replacing what it calls “career politicians” with “citizen representatives.” Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/GOOOH2.jpg)
This week Evan, Ross, Emily and Ben take a look at the real — and fake — ways that candidates are trying to gain advantages before the May 29th primaries, along with an update on the GOP race for the U.S. Senate nomination. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/Tribcast_2.jpg)
Central Texas got a new GOP-friendly state House district in the redistricting process. And as is the case in all newly created districts, candidates don’t just have to campaign — they also have to educate voters about the change. Ben Philpott of KUT News and the Tribune reports. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/HD-136-GOP-Primary.jpg)
U.S. Rep. Ron Paul made a couple of campaign stops in Austin on Thursday. After an afternoon fundraiser, he met with supporters on the University of Texas campus. Ben Philpott of KUT News and the Tribune reports. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/_KCA1581.jpg)
Changes in Texas' legislative maps have created opportunities for those hoping to knock off incumbent lawmakers — like in HD-47 in western Travis County. Ben Philpott reports for KUT News and the Tribune. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/Workman_and_Downton-border.jpg)
Ben, Evan, Ross and Emily talk about races to watch in the fast-approaching primary, Gov. Rick Perry's budget compact announcement and the Planned Parenthood merger. And Evan hears from some special birthday guests. Full Story
The Keystone XL Pipeline, and whether it will be built to bring oil from Canada to the Texas coast, has been a hot topic. This week on KUT News and the Trib, we'll have a series on the pipeline and unresolved issues surrounding it. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/keystonepipeline.jpg)