In Uncertain Nevada Contest, Cruz Tests Message for West
In Nevada, Ted Cruz will have another chance this week to make a libertarian-tinged pitch to the voters before turning his attention back to the South. 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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![Senator Ted Cruz speaks about his qualifications as future president during a rally at a packed Sottile Theatre in Charleston, S.C., Friday, Feb 19, 2016.]()
Credit: Katie Bailey -
Cruz Finishes Third Behind Trump, Rubio in South Carolina
Ted Cruz on Saturday night placed third in the South Carolina Republican presidential primary, narrowly trailing Marco Rubio for a disappointing finish in a state that seemed tailor-made for the U.S. senator from Texas. Full Story
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![Ted Cruz takes the stage at an Election Night party in Columbia, S.C., following his third-place finish in the Feb. 20 GOP South Carolina primary.]()
Credit: Katie Bailey -
S.C. Presents Critical Early Test of Cruz's Southern Strategy
With Donald Trump leading in the polls, the question shifts to the strength of Ted Cruz elsewhere in the South should he lose South Carolina. Full Story
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![Ted Cruz speaks with Sean Hannity during a rally at the Sotille Theatre in Charleston, S.C., Friday, Feb 19, 2016, in preparation for the South Carolina Republican primary on Saturday.]()
Credit: Katie Bailey -
In a First, Ted Cruz Grabs Top Spot in a National Poll
Also, a couple of contested primary races for seats on the Texas Supreme Court heat up further this week as incumbents seek to stave off spirited challenges. Full Story
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![U.S. Sen. and GOP presidential hopeful Ted Cruz boards the decommissioned battleship USS Yorktown in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, to deliver a speech on foreign policy on Feb. 16, 2016.]()
Credit: Patrick Svitek -
In South Carolina, Signs of Weakness in Cruz Evangelical Support
Despite taking all the right positions and drawing the right endorsements, Ted Cruz has struggled to shore up the support of South Carolina's evangelical voters as strongly as many of his supporters had expected he would. Full Story
![Ted Cruz speaks with Sean Hannity during a rally at the Sotille Theatre in Charleston, S.C., Friday, Feb 19, 2016, in preparation for the South Carolina Republican primary on Saturday.]()
Credit: Katie Bailey -
Cruz Sinks into South Carolina Swamp
He claims he won't get involved in the food fight. He won't get down in mud. And he most certainly won't throw rocks at other candidates. But no matter how Ted Cruz spins it, the U.S. senator from Texas is in the brawl. Full Story
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![Sen. Ted Cruz phonebanking in Greenville, South Carolina on Dec. 7, 2015.]()
Credit: Abby Livingston -
Mechler, Woodfill Square Off Again to Lead GOP
One says he's the most reliable steward of the Texas GOP's finances. The other says he'll make the party a more assertive voice for conservative values. Tom Mechler and Jared Woodfill meet again. Full Story
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![Tom Mechler (l) and Jared Woodfill]()
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Cruz Challenges Trump to Sue Him Over Ad
Ted Cruz is ratcheting up pressure on his Republican rivals to back up their accusations of dishonesty against his presidential campaign, challenging Donald Trump to follow through with an alleged threat to sue him. Full Story
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![Ted Cruz campaigns in Seneca, South Carolina on Feb. 17, 2016.]()
Credit: Patrick Svitek -
Ted Cruz Proposes "More Tooth, Less Tail" in Military
Seeking an advantage in military-heavy South Carolina, Ted Cruz made an aggressive plea Tuesday for rebuilding the U.S. armed forces, promising it could be done without growing the government or involving the country in unnecessary conflicts around the globe. Full Story
![U.S. Sen. and GOP presidential hopeful Ted Cruz boards the decommissioned battleship USS Yorktown in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, to deliver a speech on foreign policy on Feb. 16, 2016.]()
Credit: Patrick Svitek -
TedTracker: Follow Ted Cruz on the Campaign Trail
Use our updated TedTracker to check the public events — past and future — Ted Cruz has announced since since launching his campaign for president. Full Story
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![U.S. Senator Ted Cruz, R-Texas, shakes hands at The Citizens United Freedom Summit in South Carolina, May 9, 2015.]()
Credit: Michael Vadon