Cruz, Trump Trade Attack Ads as Feud Intensifies
Donald Trump and Ted Cruz are trading their first attack ads in the GOP presidential race as their rivalry reaches a new level of intensity. 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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Credit: Illustration by Shelby Knowles -
In TV Ad, Cruz Tells Servicemen: "I Will Have Your Back"
Also, Glenn Beck hits the campaign trail in Iowa for Cruz and Julian Castro does the same for Hillary Clinton. Full Story
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![Sen. Ted Cruz's campaign bus is parked in downtown Guthrie Center, Iowa on Monday, January 4, 2016.]()
Credit: Rebecca F. Miller -
Clinton Campaign Has First Paid Texas Staff
The Hillary Clinton presidential campaign has its first paid Texas staff, and is launching a series of supporter meet-ups across the state to coalesce her support as the March 1 primary draws nearer. Full Story
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![Democratic presidential frontrunner Hillary Clinton addresses supporters during an October campaign rally in San Antonio. Her campaign announced Wednesday it had hired its first Texas staffers.]()
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Carson Volunteer From Texas Dies After Car Accident
Braden Joplin, a Texas Tech student who was in Iowa volunteering for Ben Carson's presidential campaign, died Tuesday following a car accident. Full Story
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![Republican presidential candidate Ben Carson (l.) and Carson campaign volunteer Braden Joplin, a 25-year-old student at Texas Tech University who was killed in a wreck on icy Iowa roads on Jan. 19, 2016.]()
Credit: Ben Carson campaign -
Snubbing Ted Cruz, Sarah Palin Endorses Donald Trump for President
As the battle between White House hopefuls Ted Cruz and Donald Trump grows increasingly bitter, former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin stepped into the fray on Tuesday by endorsing Trump over Cruz, a former ally. Full Story
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Iowa Governor Hopes Ted Cruz Loses Caucuses
Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad said Tuesday he hopes U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz loses the state's caucuses, a remarkable departure from neutrality by the influential Republican in the race for the White House. Full Story
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![U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz speaks to a crowd gathered at Kings Christian Bookstore in Boone, Iowa, on Jan. 4, 2016. Cruz kicked off a six-day, 28-county bus tour across Iowa in a push to reach out to voters before the state's first-in-the-nation caucus on Feb. 1.]()
Credit: Rebecca F. Miller -
Eye on Trump, Pro-Cruz Super PACs Launch Biggest TV Play Yet
A super PAC supporting U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz is making its biggest investment yet in television advertising, reserving $2.5 million of airtime in Iowa and South Carolina with less than two weeks until the first nominating contests begin. Full Story
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![U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz speaks to a crowd gathered at Prime Time Restaurant in Guthrie Center, Iowa, on Monday, Jan. 4, 2016.]()
Credit: Rebecca F. Miller -
Cruz-Trump Rivalry Simmers in South Carolina
The tension between Ted Cruz and Donald Trump was more palpable than ever in South Carolina Saturday as their once-sycophantic relationship takes center stage in the Republican race for the White House. Full Story
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![Republican U.S. presidential candidates Donald Trump (l.) and Ted Cruz at the Fox Business Network Republican presidential candidates debate in North Charleston, South Carolina on Jan. 14, 2016.]()
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Cruz Blasts Trump as a Fake Conservative
Ted Cruz, long reluctant to directly criticize Donald Trump, threw caution to the wind Saturday as he ripped his Republican presidential opponent as a fake conservative. Full Story
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Credit: Illustration by Shelby Knowles -
Cruz Sparks Feeding Frenzy with "New York Values" Jab
In the 72 hours since GOP presidential contender Ted Cruz criticized his opponent Donald Trump for embodying "New York values," the term has sparked an all-out feeding frenzy — particularly in the Empire State. Full Story
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![Republican U.S. presidential candidates Donald Trump (l.) and Ted Cruz at the Fox Business Network Republican presidential candidates debate in North Charleston, South Carolina on Jan. 14, 2016.]()
Credit: REUTERS/Randall Hill