Recent Presidential Polls Spark an Unusual Discussion in Texas
It's a question most Texas politicos aren't used to asking, let alone having to debate: How close, really, is the presidential race in the Lone Star State? 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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![Democrat Hillary Clinton and Republican Donald Trump are facing off in the 2016 presidential election.]()
Credit: Michael Stravato / Shelby Tauber -
Gallego Fires Back on "Lazy" Comments in CD-23 Race
Also, Gov. Greg Abbott is hitting the campaign trail for CD-23 incumbent Will Hurd, R-San Antonio. 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.]()
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Cruz Gives $100K to Senate Incumbent Protection Efforts
Also, a House candidate pens a letter on behalf of a vaccine choice group in an attempt to halt a flu vaccine campaign being launched at several school districts across the state. Full Story
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![U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, speaks during a U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee hearing in Washington, D.C., to consider five nominees to fill vacancies on federal courts in Texas. The hearing was Sept. 7, 2016.]()
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Abbott Expresses Caution on High-Speed Rail
Gov. Greg Abbott on Thursday expressed caution about high-speed rail in Texas, warning that any investment in transportation must not be a "money-losing proposition." Full Story
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![Gov. Greg Abbott mingles with the crowd before speaking at a luncheon Thursday for the Waco Chamber of Commerce. In his remarks, Abbott expressed caution about high-speed rail in Texas.]()
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Abbott Says He's Fully Behind Trump, Hopes for Double-Digit Win in Texas
Gov. Greg Abbott is pushing back against the suggestion that his support for Donald Trump is lukewarm, saying "of course" he is all in for the Republican presidential nominee — and that he hopes Trump wins Texas by double digits. Full Story
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![Gov. Greg Abbott is shown in November 2015 proposing reforms against "sanctuary cities" that he wants Texas lawmakers to consider in the 2017 legislative session.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Cruz, Cornyn Team Up to Raise Funds for Endangered Colleagues
U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, is stepping up his efforts to protect the GOP majority in the upper chamber, teaming up with colleague John Cornyn to raise money for a half dozen vulnerable incumbents. Full Story
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![Republican U.S. Sens. Ted Cruz (l) and John Cornyn]()
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Ethics Commissioner Says He Won't Heed Patrick's Call to Resign
A member of the Texas Ethics Commission is rejecting what he says was an effort by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick to get him to resign. Full Story
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![Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick at a May 13, 2016 press conference.]()
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Presidential Politics, Straus' Priorities and College Rankings (Podcast)
On this week's TribCast, Patrick talks to Ayan, Edgar and Alexa about the latest of the presidential race in Texas, Joe Straus' priorities for the next session and how Texas schools fared in the latest college rankings. Full Story
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Texas A&M-Corpus Christi President to Step Down
Flavius Killebrew, the president and CEO of Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, announced Wednesday he is stepping down. Full Story
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![Flavius C. Killebrew, Ph.D.]()
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Children, Vulnerable Should Be Focus of Next Session, Straus Says
Texas House Speaker Joe Straus previewed the next legislative session on Tuesday, saying it should focus on making sure children and other vulnerable Texans are not left behind as the state grows. Full Story
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![Joe Straus, Texas Speaker of the House, at an 85th Legislative Session preview at the Dallas Regional Chamber on Sept. 13, 2016.]()
Credit: Laura Buckman for The Texas Tribune