Elise Hu

Elise Hu was a political reporter at the Tribune, focusing on multimedia projects, from 2009 to 2011. She previously worked as the state political reporter for Austin's ABC affiliate, KVUE-TV, from 2006 to 2009. She was recognized by the Texas Associated Press Broadcasters three years in a row for her beat reporting on state politics and was named Best TV Reporter Who Can Write by The Austin Chronicle. Before arriving in Austin, she held reporting positions at television stations in Waco; Greenville, S.C.; and Columbia, Mo. She's an evangelist for social media and multimedia journalism — her Political Junkie blog was listed as one of WashingtonPost.com's top Texas political blogs. A native of Plano, she has a degree in broadcast journalism from the University of Missouri.

Past Contributions

HuTube: Two-Minute Drills

By Elise Hu Sept. 13, 2010

In a new feature from our friends at Houston's KTRK-TV, the gubernatorial candidates submit two-minute responses to questions from left field. Full Story
TribBlog: Mostyn Wins a Round

By Elise Hu Sept. 13, 2010

Democratic donor Steve Mostyn wins his latest round in a battle with state Rep. Larry Taylor, R-Friendswood. A judge has blocked the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association from giving Taylor information about Mostyn's payouts in a massive windstorm settlement this year. Full Story
TribBlog: Mostyn Has "Gone Off the Deep End," Taylor Says

By Elise Hu Sept. 10, 2010

State Rep. Larry Taylor, R-Friendswood, says the hullabaloo over his information request to the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association has been blown out of proportion. "I don't know why Steve Mostyn has gone off the deep end over this," he said. Full Story

Credit: UTMB Galveston
TribBlog: Taylor vs. Mostyn, Part Two

By Elise Hu Sept. 10, 2010

He may still be recovering after a near-fatal four-wheeler accident this summer, but Steve Mostyn's in a fightin' mood. Full Story
TribBlog: Taylor vs. Mostyn?

By Elise Hu Sept. 10, 2010

The co-chair of the House Committee on Insurance, state Rep. Larry Taylor, R-Friendswood, is asking the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association for details on a massive settlement paid out to 2,400 homeowners and their lawyer, Steve Mostyn. Mostyn, a prolific Democratic donor, says Taylor is targeting him for political reasons. Full Story

Credit: Justin Dehn/House Photo
Still Seeking Justice

By Elise Hu Sept. 10, 2010

The mother of tow truck driver Steven Hardin explains her plight after a jury found her son's killer guilty of murder but sentenced him only to probation. The killer, firefighter Barry Crawford, completed his probation a few months ago even though he didn't fulfill the terms. Full Story
The Weekly TribCast: Episode 45

By Elise Hu Sept. 8, 2010

In this week's TribCast, the regular podcast gang is back to talk about the start of campaign season, the latest polls in the race for governor, and the political effect of that $18 billion budget hole. Full Story
Ads Infinitum: White's "Border Security" Pitch

By Elise Hu Sept. 8, 2010

Democratic gubernatorial nominee Bill White promises 1,000 more security officers on the Texas-Mexico border in his latest TV spot, appropriately titled "Border." Full Story
Steve Mostyn: The TT Interview

By Elise Hu Sept. 7, 2010

Already the state's single largest Democratic donor this campaign cycle, the Houston attorney has pledged to contribute at least $3 million to the party and its causes this year and has no intention of turning off the faucet. The man behind the Back to Basics PAC's "coward" ad sat down with the Tribune last week to talk about why he feels the need to give, the influence of money in Texas politics, how "trial lawyer" became a perjorative and what he really thinks of the Democrats' chances this fall. Full Story
The Weekly TribCast: Episode 44

By Elise Hu Sept. 1, 2010

In this week's TribCast, Ross, Elise, Ben and Matt discuss the hottest Texas House races, Perry for president and the ramifications for elections in Harris County after fire destroyed voting machines last week. Full Story