/https://static.texastribune.org/media/profiles/Patrick_Svitek_Aug_2021TT_03.jpg)
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.
Lawyers for Attorney General Ken Paxton on Thursday tried to cast doubt on the makeup of the grand jury that indicted him. They're hoping to overturn a lower court’s decision not to dismiss the securities fraud charges against him. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2016/05/12/051216KenPaxtonInCourt2.jpg)
Gov. Greg Abbott's new book, “Broken But Unbowed,” recalls the accident that paralyzed Abbott for life, his battles with Washington, and his recent push for a convention of states to amend the Constitution. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2016/05/12/IMG_1366.jpg)
More than 10,000 delegates to the state GOP convention are gathering in Dallas. With the party's presidential race decided, the five things to watch include Ted Cruz's return and Greg Abbott's book launch. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2016/05/11/Delegates18.jpg)
In a new video released by his campaign the day before he's set to appear in court in Dallas, embattled AG Ken Paxton defends himself against "crimes I didn't commit" and says he's been wrongly accused by people mad that he's a "conservative Christian." Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/videos/Ken_Paxton_screen.jpg)
Ted Cruz said Wednesday he plans to seek a second term in the U.S. Senate. This comes the week after the Texan dropped out of the GOP presidential contest. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/09/25/Cruz-Floor.jpg)
Drawing a parallel between the long-term efforts of her husband's supporters and the fight to end slavery, Heidi Cruz said Tuesday that it took "a lot longer than four years" for the latter fight to be successful. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2016/02/26/Heidi-5.jpg)
On his first day back in the Senate, Ted Cruz repeatedly avoided endorsing his party’s presumptive presidential nominee, ruled out a third-party run against Donald Trump and said he would continue to serve as an “outsider." Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2016/05/03/Ted_Drops_Out.jpg)
Ted Cruz may have dropped out of the race last week, but he is working to ensure his supporters stay engaged through the Republican National Convention. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2016/05/03/Cruz_out_reuters.jpg)
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick on Monday called for the resignation of Fort Worth ISD Superintendent Kent Scribner over new guidelines dealing with transgender students. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/06/04/7C2A7556.jpg)
The official portrait of former Gov. Rick Perry was unveiled Friday morning, giving Texas' longest-serving governor a permanent home in the Capitol — and answering a burning question throughout Austin. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2016/05/06/7C2A9423.jpg)