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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.
Gov. Greg Abbott is adopting a wait-and-see approach about anticipated legislation that would prohibit transgender people from using the bathroom that corresponds with their gender identity. Full Story
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Donald Trump has officially picked Texas oil executive Rex Tillerson to be secretary of state, going ahead with the Exxon Mobil CEO's nomination despite early signs of unease over his close relationship with Russian leader Vladimir Putin. Full Story
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Former Gov. Rick Perry has met with President-elect Donald Trump again as speculation picks up that he could lead the Department of Energy. Full Story
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Reports surfaced Saturday that President-elect Donald Trump had picked Exxon Mobil CEO Rex Tillerson to be his secretary of state, making perhaps his most controversial nomination yet due to the Texan's close ties to Russia. But before word got out about Tillerson, the Lone Star State had come up empty in Trump's cabinet appointments. Full Story
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President-elect Donald Trump has reportedly picked Exxon Mobil CEO Rex Tillerson to be his secretary of state, turning to a Texan to be the country's top diplomat. Full Story
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An incoming state senator suggested Thursday that Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick will focus on schools, not businesses or sporting venues, with his "bathroom bill." Full Story
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U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, once a vicious critic of Donald Trump, is allying himself with the president-elect on some key issues shaping the early stages of Trump's transition into the White House. Full Story
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Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick said Wednesday that a Texas Republican elector's decision not to vote for Donald Trump may lead state legislators to pass a law requiring electors to support the winner of the statewide popular vote. Full Story
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Gov. Greg Abbott squared the new political reality Tuesday with his long-standing crusade to amend the U.S. Constitution by arguing President-elect Donald Trump "epitomizes exactly why we need a convention of states." Full Story
More than a week after Art Sisneros of Dayton resigned as a Republican elector rather than support Donald Trump, Christopher Suprun of Dallas said he plans to remain an elector but support another Republican. Full Story
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