Budget Board Restores Funding for Racing Commission
Also, Gov. Greg Abbott meets with Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto and David Dewhurst makes a campaign contribution to former rival Ted Cruz. 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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For Cruz, Super Tuesday Stakes Reach New Heights
The stakes could not be higher for the junior U.S. senator from Texas as the March 1 primaries approach. Long a day on which his campaign hoped to make major progress, Super Tuesday is instead shaping up to be a potential do-or-die moment. Full Story
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![U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz speaks to Texas reporters in Columbia following the South Carolina Republican presidential primary on Feb. 20, 2016.]()
Credit: Katie Bailey -
Abbott on Long-Awaited Cruz Endorsement: It Was "The Right Time"
Gov. Greg Abbott on Thursday said he waited until the week before the Texas primary to endorse Ted Cruz because he wanted to maximize his impact on the volatile presidential race. Full Story
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![Texas governor Greg Abbott in Houston at the Bayou Civic Center after the Harris County Republican Party 2016 Lincoln Reagan dinner, Feb 24, 2016.]()
Credit: Eric Kayne -
GOP Presidential Race Converges on Houston Ahead of Debate
The Republican presidential race converged Wednesday in Texas, a day before the field was set to meet on the debate stage in Houston. Full Story
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![Republican presidential candidate Ted Cruz speaks in Houston at the Bayou Civic Center during the Harris County Republican Party's 2016 Lincoln-Reagan Dinner on Feb. 24, 2016.]()
Credit: Eric Kayne -
Greg Abbott Endorses Ted Cruz for President
Gov. Greg Abbott has endorsed Ted Cruz for president, giving the U.S. senator more home-state support with just under a week until its primary. Full Story
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![U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz and Gov. Greg Abbott speak at a press conference in the Capitol about Cruz’s Terrorist Refugee Infiltration Prevention Act of 2015 (S. 2302), in Washington, D.C., on Dec. 8, 2015.]()
Credit: Chris Maddaloni for The Texas Tribune -
In Nevada Caucuses, Cruz Comes in Third Behind Rubio, Trump Wins Big
U.S Sen. Ted Cruz on Tuesday night trailed Marco Rubio to come in third in the Nevada caucuses, his second straight finish behind his Senate colleague as they vie to be the chief alternative to billionaire Donald Trump. Full Story
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![U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, and U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Florida.]()
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Following Racism Allegations, Cruz Campaign Pulls Work from Artist Sabo
Ted Cruz's presidential campaign abruptly stopped selling work from an artist with a history of making controversial, and at times racist, statements online. Full Story
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![Webpage devoted to merchandise designed by the Los Angeles-based artist Sabo on Sen. Ted Cruz's campaign website.]()
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In Nevada, Cruz Battles Again for Runner-up
As Silver State Republicans prepare to caucus Tuesday, U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz is again believed to be in a battle for the No. 2 spot with U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida. Full Story
![U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz speaks to Texas reporters in Columbia following the South Carolina Republican presidential primary on Feb. 20, 2016.]()
Credit: Katie Bailey -
Ted Cruz's Home-State Strength in Question
Ted Cruz is still favored to win Texas, but it may not be as easy or resounding of a victory as he would like, many Republican strategists say. Billionaire Donald Trump is seen as Cruz's biggest threat at home. Full Story
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![Republican primary Senate Candidate Ted Cruz with wife Heidi during a campaign rally.]()
Credit: Michael Stravato -
Battling Dishonesty Claims, Cruz Seeks Campaign Change
Battling the perception he is running a dishonest campaign, Ted Cruz on Monday asked for the resignation of Rick Tyler, his top spokesman, for what Cruz called a "grave error of judgment." Full Story
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![On Feb. 22, U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, right, asked for the resignation of campaign spokesman Rick Tyler, left.]()
Credit: Gage Skidmore