Confident Texas Democrats Lay Down General-Election Marker
Texas Democrats officially open the first in a series of offices in the solidly Republican state affiliated with the campaign of their presidential nominee, Hillary Clinton. 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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![Hillary Clinton supporters in Houston await her arrival on Feb 20, 2016.]()
Credit: MIchael Stravato -
In Austin, Richards Draws Parallels Between Mom, Hillary Clinton
Planned Parenthood President Cecile Richards, making a stop in solidly red Texas, drew parallels Friday between Hillary Clinton's campaign and Richards' mother's trail-blazing path to the Texas governor's office. Full Story
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![Planned Parenthood Federation of America President Cecile Richards arrives at a Hillary Clinton campaign office in Austin on Sept. 9, 2016.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Cruz Weighs In on Kaepernick National Anthem Protest
Also, Joe Biden and Donald Trump are planning separate trips to Houston next weekend. 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.]()
Credit: Allison Shelley -
Empower Texans Escalates Battle With Ethics Commission
The influential conservative group Empower Texans is escalating its long-running battle against the Texas Ethics Commission, accusing a former member of improperly seeking to influence state legislation. Full Story
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![Michael Quinn Sullivan at the Texas Tax Day Tea Party Rally at the Texas Capitol on April 15th, 2015]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
National Democrats to Start Opening Offices in Texas
National Democrats are beginning to open offices in Texas ahead of a presidential election that appears it could be closer than usual in the reliably red state. Full Story
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![Hillary Clinton speaks to supporters at Texas Southern University in Houston, shortly after winning the Nevada caucus on Saturday, Feb. 20, 2016.]()
Credit: Michael Stravato for The Texas Tribune -
Cornyn Won't Endorse Cruz in 2018 Primary
U.S. Sen. John Cornyn is declining to endorse fellow Texas Republican Ted Cruz for re-election to the Senate, just as Cruz did not back Cornyn for another term two years ago. Full Story
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![U.S. Sen. John Cornyn sits with U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz and wife Heidi Cruz at the Fort Hood Purple Heart ceremony on April 10, 2015.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Hey, Texplainer: How Similar Were the Florida and Texas Trump U. Cases?
Hey, Texplainer: I'm hearing a lot about Florida and Trump University, particularly related to a donation Trump gave the state's attorney general. Didn't Texas also have some problems with the school, and didn't Trump also make a controversial donation? Are the two cases the same? Full Story
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![Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump speaks at an Aug. 23, 2016, rally in Austin.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
In Dallas, Tim Kaine's Wife Hears Concerns On Education, Children
Reflecting an apparent sharpening of Democratic focus on Texas, Anne Holton, wife of Democratic vice presidential nominee Tim Kaine, held back-to-back events in Dallas Tuesday. Full Story
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![Anne Holton, wife of Vice Presidential candidate Tim Kaine and former Education Secretary of Virginia, speaks at a roundtable of educators, administrators, and students in Dallas on Tuesday, Sep. 6, 2016.]()
Credit: Laura Buckman for The Texas Tribune -
In Ken Paxton Case, SEC Lawyers Face Skeptical Judge at Hearing
A federal judge considering whether to dismiss the civil fraud case against Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton suggested that the Securities and Exchange Commission was trying to fit a "square peg into a round hole," basing its case on precedents that do not back up their arguments. Full Story
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![Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton entered a federal courthouse in Sherman on Sept. 2, 2016. Paxton's lawyers argued in a hearing that the federal civil fraud case against him should be dismissed.]()
Credit: Cooper Neill for The Texas Tribune -
Group Allied With Bernie Sanders Backs Texans in Local Races
Also, Nelda Laney, the wife of former House Speaker Pete Laney, was laid to rest on Tuesday in services at the Texas State Cemetery. Full Story
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![Vermont Senator and presidential hopeful Bernie Sanders speaks to supporters in Austin, Texas on Feb. 27, 2016.]()
Credit: Shelby Knowles/ The Texas Tribune