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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.
U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro is still wrestling with a tough question: Is it worth giving up his seat in Congress for a long-shot challenge to U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, particularly when another Democrat is already running? Full Story
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Ahead of his 2018 bid for re-election, U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz has an imposing war chest collected through three allied groups. Full Story
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Former Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders helped rally Texas Democrats on Thursday as the party seeks to show a unified front against President Donald Trump. Full Story
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More Texans disapprove of the job President Trump is doing than approve, according to a Texas Lyceum poll released Wednesday, which also included early polling on a possible U.S. Senate race between Ted Cruz and Beto O'Rourke. Full Story
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U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, on Tuesday defended conservative lawmakers against what he described as critics in the White House who are not serving President Donald Trump's best interests. Full Story
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Gov. Greg Abbott is signaling support for House legislation that some hope will serve as an alternative to the Senate's "bathroom bill." Full Story
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With Congress about to consider a must-pass spending bill to avoid a government shutdown, U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz said Monday that he was concerned Senate Democrats would "engage in across-the-board obstruction." Full Story
Judge George Gallagher will remain on the securities fraud case against Attorney General Ken Paxton, according to a spokeswoman for the judge. Full Story
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With some of his priorities on the chopping block this session, Gov. Greg Abbott may be eyeing his recently expanded veto authority in order to get his way. Full Story
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Texas Insurance Commissioner David Mattax died Thursday morning following a battle with cancer. Full Story
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