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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.
Gov. Greg Abbott only made matters worse by wading into long-simmering paranoia over a military training exercise scheduled to begin this summer in Texas. He has asked the State Guard to keep an eye on the operation, a fascination of conspiracy theorists. Full Story
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At a conference for Hispanic evangelicals Wednesday, two White House hopefuls straddled the line on immigration, illustrating the GOP's challenge in reconciling views on what the federal government should do with millions of people in the country illegally. Full Story
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Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush made an impassioned appeal in Houston Wednesday to the Hispanic evangelicals whose support he hopes will make him a unique GOP presidential prospect. Full Story
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A House panel late Monday learned some Harris County officials are not too keen on online voter registration. Lawmakers have filed two bills that would bring the practice to Texas. Full Story
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The two White House hopefuls from Texas made fiery appeals Saturday to a well-heeled crowd at the Republican Jewish Coalition's annual meeting in Las Vegas. Full Story
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One of the judges tapped to hear an appeal in the criminal case against Rick Perry may be familiar with the defendant: He once worked for the former governor. Full Story
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Former Gov. Rick Perry and U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz are heading to Las Vegas to make their presidential pitches to a group of major Jewish donors that includes billionaire casino magnate Sheldon Adelson. Full Story
The panel of conservative activists that is advising Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick is putting him in a tricky spot as he navigates leadership politics under the dome. Full Story
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State Reps. Charlie Geren and Jim Keffer, once among the vanguard as Republicans took control of the House, already have challengers who will try to outflank them to the right in 2016. Full Story
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A weekly leadership breakfast went sour Wednesday as the state's top three officials complained to one another about legislative packages and the tensions between a House and Senate that have just weeks left to complete their work. Full Story
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