Matthew Dowd won't challenge U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz in 2018
Matthew Dowd, a political commentator and former strategist for George W. Bush, announced Wednesday that he will not challenge U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz in 2018. Full Story
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Patrick Svitek
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Patrick Svitek was the primary political correspondent for The Texas Tribune. Patrick covered elections, state leaders, the Legislature and political trends across the state from 2015 until 2024. He previously worked for the Houston Chronicle's Austin bureau. Patrick graduated in 2014 from Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism. He is originally from Fort Wayne, Indiana.
Past Contributions
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![Author and political strategist Matthew Dowd at a Texas Tribune event at the Austin Club on May 10, 2017.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
Abbott: I urged pastors to pressure Texas House over "bathroom bills"
Gov. Greg Abbott confirmed Tuesday in a radio interview that he has urged pastors to pressure the Texas House to advance the so-called bathroom bills that have languished there for weeks. Full Story
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![Gov. Greg Abbott prays with event organizer Evelyn Davison at the 66th annual Texas State Prayer Breakfast in Austin on May 1, 2017. Davison has organized the event for the last 43 years.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
Paxton looks to get ahead of legal challenges to "sanctuary cities" ban
Attorney General Ken Paxton is looking to get ahead of an anticipated barrage of legal challenges to Texas' ban on "sanctuary cities." Full Story
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![Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott signs "sanctuary cities" bill into law
Gov. Greg Abbott signed a ban on "sanctuary cities" on Sunday, putting the final touch on legislation that would also allow police to inquire about the immigration status of people they lawfully detain. Full Story
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![Gov. Greg Abbott speaks on the first day of the 85th Legislature on Jan. 10, 2017.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
Taylor looks to fend off 2 challengers in San Antonio mayoral race
Ivy Taylor was appointed mayor after promising she wouldn't run to keep the job. She did anyway, beat a state senator in 2015 and now faces 13 challengers in Saturday's election — including current and former city council members. Full Story
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![San Antonio mayoral candidates Ron Nirenberg, Manuel Medina and incumbent Ivy Taylor.]()
Credit: Robin Jerstad for The Texas Tribune -
Pasadena, a voting rights battleground, prepares for pivotal elections
After having its city council districts declared discriminatory, the city of Pasadena is preparing for May elections that could have statewide implications. Full Story
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![Oscar Del Toro, who lost a Pasadena City Council race for an at-large seat in 2015, and is running again this year, points to the city's redistricting map.]()
Credit: Laura Starecheski -
Joaquin Castro says he won't challenge Ted Cruz for U.S. Senate in 2018
U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro, D-San Antonio, has decided not to challenge U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, in 2018. Full Story
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![U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro (left) and U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz.]()
Credit: Illustration by The Texas Tribune -
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick supports "House companion" to "bathroom bill"
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick expressed support Friday for "a House companion" to the so-called "bathroom bill" that has been one of his biggest priorities this session. Full Story
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![Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick speaks at the Harris County Republican Party's annual Lincoln-Reagan Dinner in Houston on April 28, 2017.]()
Credit: Spike Johnson for The Texas Tribune -
Trial of former U.S. Rep. Steve Stockman on corruption charges delayed until next year
Stockman's lawyer says he needs until January 2018 to review 142,378 pages of evidence, apparently gathered by the government over the past three and a half years. Full Story
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![Former U.S. Rep. Steve Stockman, a Houston-area Republican, speaking at the 2013 Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in National Harbor, Maryland.]()
Credit: Gage Skidmore -
Attorney General Ken Paxton still pushing for new judge in criminal trial
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton's lawyers are not giving up in their bid to get a new judge in his securities fraud case after the current judge ordered the case moved from Collin County, where Paxton lives, to Harris County. Full Story
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![Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton during a news conference on Jan. 12, 2017.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera