Bobby Blanchard

Bobby Blanchard joined The Texas Tribune’s audience team in 2016 and led the team from 2021 to 2023, strategizing to expand the organization’s reach and engagement across all platforms. A graduate of UT-Austin, Bobby spent his first year out of college at The Dallas Morning News as a reporting fellow, covering Texas politics and breaking news. He got his start in journalism in the poorly lit basement of The Daily Texan, followed by internships at the Houston Chronicle, KUT News and the Tribune. Born and raised in the Houston area, Bobby is a native Texan.

Past Contributions

The Q&A: Francine Sanders Romero

By Bobby Blanchard Nov. 4, 2014

In this week’s Q&A, we interview Francine Sanders Romero, associate dean at the University of Texas at San Antonio Full Story
Abbott Fires Up the Rhetoric in Election Eve Call

By Bobby Blanchard Nov. 3, 2014

Greg Abbott supporters who dialed into a Monday evening tele-townhall were exhorted to get out the vote on Tuesday, lest Democratic opponent Wendy Davis usher into Texas the evils of liberalism and Barack Obama. Full Story

Credit: Bob Daemmrich
Hegar, Collier Clash on Credentials, Taxes

By Bobby Blanchard Oct. 29, 2014

After months of chasing his opponent, Democratic comptroller candidate Mike Collier finally had his chance Wednesday night to outline and contrast his accounting experience against Republican candidate Glenn Hegar — a cornerstone of his campaign. Full Story
New TEC Rule On Dark Money Faces Uphill Battle

By Bobby Blanchard Oct. 29, 2014

Texas political nonprofits, or “dark money” groups, may soon have to disclose their donors — if a new ethics rule survives likely court challenges. Full Story

Credit: Illustration by Todd Wiseman
On "Daily Show," Davis Says a Blue Texas is "On Its Way"

By Bobby Blanchard Oct. 27, 2014

During an appearance on The Daily Show in Austin on Monday, state Sen. Wendy Davis, the Democratic gubernatorial candidate, dismissed speculation that Texas is showing no signs of turning blue. Full Story

Credit: The Daily Show
In TV Airtime, a Candidate Looks Invincible

By Christine Ayala and Bobby Blanchard Oct. 24, 2014

It would take more than 10 days to watch all the ad spots on broadcast television that the campaign of Greg Abbott, the Republican candidate for Texas governor, has bought from July to Election Day. Full Story

Credit: Stephen Spillman / Cooper Neill
The Q&A: Kent Satterwhite

By Bobby Blanchard Oct. 21, 2014

In this week’s Q&A, we interview Kent Satterwhite, general manager of the Canadian River Municipal Water Authority. Full Story
In Flashy Web Ad, Abbott Questions Davis' Ethics

By Bobby Blanchard Oct. 17, 2014

In a game show-style ad with flashing, neon lights edited in, Republican gubernatorial candidate Greg Abbott's campaign attacks Democratic candidate Wendy Davis for supporting President Barack Obama and mixing her business and politics. Full Story
Davis Says Controversial Ad About One Thing: Hypocrisy

By Bobby Blanchard Oct. 13, 2014

Wendy Davis responded Monday to criticism of her controversial wheelchair ad, saying the ad was aimed at pointing out hypocrisy in Greg Abbott's actions. Full Story
Lawmakers Call for Ebola Screenings at Texas Airports

By Bobby Blanchard Oct. 10, 2014

At a meeting of the U.S. House Homeland Security Committee in Dallas on Friday, lawmakers urged the government to add Ebola screenings at two major airports in Texas while emphasizing that the U.S. was safe from an outbreak. Full Story

Credit: Daniel Duchon