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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.
It's not impossible — but it's close. If an independent presidential candidate wanted to get on the ballot in Texas at this point, they would face sky-high hurdles — not the least of which being that the deadline has already passed. Full Story
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Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has lost his latest bid for dismissal of state securities fraud charges he faces for business dealings before he took office. Full Story
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Declaring that "this fight is just beginning," Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick on Tuesday escalated his battle against guidelines in Texas and across the country that allow students to use the bathroom that corresponds with their gender identity. Full Story
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Also, a pair of Texas Democrats accompany Barack Obama on Vietnam visit and Ted Cruz calls for resignation of VA secretary over Disney wait time comment. Full Story
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In a reversal, state Rep. Wayne Smith is now pursuing a recount in his narrow loss in Tuesday's Republican primary runoff. Full Story
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Tuesday's Republican primary runoffs may not be over yet for at least one candidate. Full Story
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U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, is making a rare foray into a state-level contest, helping to make the closing argument for Bryan Hughes in his race against David Simpson for the Texas Senate. Full Story
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Former Gov. Rick Perry has endorsed at least 10 candidates this election cycle — including an aspiring sheriff and a would-be congressman — providing a measure of his political influence since leaving office. Full Story
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As the end neared for Ted Cruz's presidential campaign, one problem it did not have was money, according to its latest finance report. Full Story
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Less than a year and a half into his term, Gov. Greg Abbott appears to be following a path traveled by his two predecessors — write a book, raise your profile and then? Full Story
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