Gov. Abbott taps Texas Racing Commission chairman as secretary of state
Gov. Greg Abbott on Monday named Rolando Pablos, the chairman of the Texas Racing Commission, the next secretary of state, following the resignation of Carlos Cascos. 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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Exxon Mobil CEO Rex Tillerson emerges as candidate for secretary of state
Exxon Mobil CEO Rex Tillerson has surfaced as a candidate for U.S. secretary of state as President-elect Donald Trump expands his search for his administration's top diplomat. Full Story
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![Rex Tillerson, chairman and chief executive officer of Exxon Mobil Corporation.]()
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U.S. Rep. Michael McCaul draws critics in bid to run Homeland Security under Trump
Some hardline illegal immigration opponents are increasingly arguing U.S. Rep. Michael McCaul does not have a strong enough record on the issue to run the Department of Homeland Security for President-elect Donald Trump. Full Story
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![Congressman Michael McCaul visits the Texas Capitol for meetings with Gov. Greg Abbott and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick on border security on Feb. 18, 2015.]()
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Cruz praises McCaul's experience as Trump weighs Cabinet choices
U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz on Friday praised the law enforcement experience of Michael McCaul, his fellow Texas Republican whom President-elect Donald Trump is considering for Homeland Security secretary. Full Story
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![U.S. Rep. Michael McCaul at a Texas Tribune event in Austin on Oct. 25, 2016.]()
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After bruising re-election battle, Hurd ready to work with Trump
Republican U.S. Rep. Will Hurd disavowed Donald Trump while fighting to hold onto his seat in the state's only competitive Congressional race. Now, not so much. Full Story
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![U.S. Rep. Will Hurd, R-San Antonio, addresses supporters at a get-out-the-vote rally in San Antonio on Nov. 7, 2016.]()
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Abbott vows to cut funding for "sanctuary campus" schools
Though the definition of a "sanctuary campus" is murky, Gov. Greg Abbott Thursday made it clear they are not welcome in Texas. Full Story
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![Gov. Greg Abbott speaks to a large crowd of state leaders at the Texas Education & Workforce Summit Sept. 19, 2016 at the AT&T Center.]()
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After recount, Anderson remains winner in re-election battle
Democrat Terry Meza conceded Tuesday evening after concluding that the recount would not change Anderson's 64-vote margin of victory, said Toni Pippins-Poole, elections administrator for Dallas County Full Story
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![State Rep. Rodney Anderson, R-Grand Prairie, and his Democratic opponent Terry Meza,]()
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Abbott: Campus carry could have prevented Ohio State attack
Commenting on the knife attack at Ohio State University that left 11 people injured, Gov. Greg Abbott said Tuesday that someone would "think twice" about carrying out such an attack in Texas due to its campus carry law. Full Story
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![Texas Gov. Greg Abbott speaks during a Rotary Club of San Antonio luncheon on March 23, 2016.]()
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Trump's unsupported claim of voter fraud appears to have Texas roots
Gregg Phillips, a former Texas official with the Health and Human Services Commission, appears to be the source of Trump's unsubstantiated claim that "millions" of people voted illegally in the race for the White House. Full Story
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Texas Republican elector resigns over Donald Trump
Art Sisneros said he believed voting for Trump "would bring dishonor to God." Full Story
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![Vietnam veteran Jim Faulkner of Calhoun County signs a Trump for President banner at the Republican Party of Texas event in Dallas May 13, 2016.]()
Credit: The Texas Tribune/Bob Daemmrich