With Lawsuit, Paxton Joins Cruz Fight Over Internet "Giveaway"
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is jumping into Ted Cruz's fight to stop what the U.S. senator calls President Barack Obama's illegal Internet "giveaway." 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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![Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton holds a press conference on June 9, 2016 in front of the U.S. Supreme Court to discuss the filing of a lawsuit against the state of Delaware]()
Credit: Bill Clark for The Texas Tribune -
Democratic National Committee Expands Presence in Texas
The Democratic National Committee is expanding its presence in Texas as polls continue to show a closer-than-usual presidential race in the solidly red state. Full Story
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![Signs at the Texas State Democratic convention in San Antonio on June 17, 2016.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Independent Candidate Evan McMullin Denounces Trump as Racist
Independent presidential candidate Evan McMullin on Sunday labeled Republican nominee Donald Trump a racist, calling for more people to "come out and say that cleanly." Full Story
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![Independent candidate for president Evan McMullin is interviewed by Texas Tribune CEO Evan Smith at The Texas Tribune Festival on Sept. 25, 2016.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Gary Johnson: I Would Pardon Edward Snowden
Amid a renewed debate over Edward Snowden, Libertarian presidential nominee Gary Johnson said Saturday he would pardon the whistleblower based on his knowledge of the case. Full Story
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![Gary Johnson, the 2016 Libertarian candidate for president, is interviewed by Matthew Dowd, chief political analyst for ABC News, at The Texas Tribune Festival on Sept. 24, 2016.]()
Credit: Steve Moakley -
Cruz Says He's Willing to Forgive Trump for Family Attacks
When Ted Cruz declined to endorse Donald Trump earlier this year at the Republican National Convention, one sticking point was the businessman's attacks on Cruz's family during the primaries. When Trump, now the GOP nominee, went after Cruz's dad and wife, Cruz said, he "abrogated" a GOP unity pledge all the candidates signed last year. Full Story
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![U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz speaks to the Texas delegation at the 2016 Republican National Convention in Cleveland, Ohio on July 21, 2016.]()
Credit: Justin Dehn -
Ted Cruz Confirms He Is Endorsing Donald Trump
In a statement released Friday, U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz endorsed Donald Trump after months of withholding his support from the Republican presidential nominee who defeated him in the primaries. Full Story
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![Republican presidential candidates Donald Trump and U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz rally in Texas prior to the 2016 Texas primary.]()
Credit: Robert Hart/Shelby Tauber -
In Houston, Tim Kaine Seeks to Energize Texas Democrats
Democratic vice presidential candidate Tim Kaine used a speech Friday in Houston to try to energize long-beleaguered Texas Democrats, reiterating his ticket's commitment to seeing the solidly Republican state become more competitive. Full Story
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![Virginia Senator and Democratic candidate for vice president Tim Kaine campaigns at the CWA Local Union in downtown Houston on Sept. 23, 2016.]()
Credit: Spike Johnson -
Dan Patrick is Still Bullish on Cruz's Re-Election Chances
Also, a top Ted Cruz adviser suggests the Texas senator is moving closer to supporting GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump. Full Story
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![Photo by: Shelby Knowles]()
Credit: Shelby Knowles -
James Dickey Reclaims Post of Travis County GOP Chairman
Also, a pair of non-major party presidential hopefuls — Gary Johnson and Evan McMullin — plan appearances around Austin this weekend. Full Story
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![Outgoing Chairman James Dickey speaks to the Travis County Republican Party on Tuesday Mar. 8, 2016, the first executive committee meeting since Robert Morrow was elected chairman.]()
Credit: Todd Wiseman -
In Hurd-Gallego Rematch, Veterans Issues Again a Flashpoint
If it's an even-numbered year, there's a good chance of a competitive race for Texas' 23rd congressional seat, a perennial swing district sprawling across West Texas. Full Story
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![Former U.S. Rep. Pete Gallego (left) was ousted by Republican Will Hurd, right, in the 2014 CD-23 contest.]()