GOP super PAC focused on voter registration builds massive organization
Engage Texas disclosed Friday that it raised another $2.3 million over the past six months — and that it has also grown to have almost 300 staff members. 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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![The Republican Party of Texas office in downtown Austin.]()
Credit: Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribune -
Democrats regroup after Republicans score easy win in Texas House special election
Campaign strategies — and the extent of Beto O'Rourke's involvement — were being contemplated after a big loss in a race that gained statewide attention. Full Story
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![Democratic Texas House District 28 candidate Eliz Markowitz speaks to supports at a watch party in Katy, Texas, Tuesday, January 28, 2020. (Photo by Michael Stravato for the Texas Tribune)]()
Credit: Michael Stravato for The Texas Tribune -
Cornyn has $12 million for reelection bid after raising $2.8 million in fourth quarter
Cornyn will face the winner of a crowded Democratic primary. That group of hopefuls includes MJ Hegar, who announced Tuesday that she raised $1.1 million over the past three months. Full Story
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![U.S. Senator John Cornyn, R-Texas, enters a hearing room before chairing a U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee hearing to confirm five nominees on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C.]()
Credit: Allison Shelley for The Texas Tribune -
Republican Gary Gates handily beats Democrat Eliz Markowitz in Texas House District 28 runoff
Democrats had hoped the race would build momentum for their push to take control of the Texas House in November. The Houston-area contest garnered national attention and overshadowed two other special election runoffs for House districts Tuesday. Full Story
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![Gary Gates greets the crowd during his election night watch party at Gallery Furniture in Richmond, TX, on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2020.]()
Credit: Annie Mulligan for The Texas Tribune -
Bernie Sanders campaign homes in on Texas as primary nears
The Democratic presidential candidate is expanding its efforts in the state a little over a month before Texas' delegate-rich primary. Full Story
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![Former presidential candidate and Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders speaks at the Verizon Theater in Grand Prairie on April 19, 2017. The event was part of a nationwide unity tour to amp up Democrats.]()
Credit: Cooper Neill for The Texas Tribune -
Democrats confront bellwether expectations as Texas House special election reaches end
Texas House District 28 is getting wide attention from Democrats, but it is far from the most competitive legislative district on their radar this year, and Republicans are confident ahead of a special election runoff Tuesday. Full Story
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![Democratic candidate Eliz Markowitz, who is running for Texas House District 28, listens as Beto O’Rourke speaks to her supporters at a block walk in Fulshear on Jan. 25, 2020.]()
Credit: Michael Stravato for The Texas Tribune -
Despite Trump endorsement, Kay Granger's primary shows no signs of cooling
The anti-tax Club for Growth on Thursday backed the Fort Worth congresswoman's primary challenger, Chris Putnam, ensuring that the race will remain action-packed even after she secured the president's backing last month. Full Story
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![U.S. Rep. Kay Granger, R-Texas, and Republican primary challenger Chris Putnam.]()
Credit: United States Congress and Putnam Campaign -
With GOP supermajority at risk in 2020, Dan Patrick says Texas Senate may lower threshold to bring bills to the floor
The lieutenant governor said Thursday he may decrease the threshold to a simple majority if Republicans lose one or two seats in November. Full Story
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![Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick and Senate Parliamentarian Karina Davis on the senate floor. Jan. 9, 2019.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr. / Texas Tribune. -
Elizabeth Warren backs Eliz Markowitz in battleground Texas House race
The U.S. senator from Massachusetts is the latest Democratic presidential candidate to get involved in the Jan. 28 special election runoff for House District 28. Full Story
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![From left: Presidential candidate Elizabeth Warren and Eliz Markowitz, Democratic candidate for Texas House District 28.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich: Warren | Social media: Markowitz -
Warren reveals more endorsements from former Castro, O’Rourke supporters
The Massachusetts U.S. senator’s latest endorsements come from four state lawmakers who represent O’Rourke’s native El Paso and previously supported him or Castro. Full Story
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![Presidential candidate and U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren, Massachusetts, takes the stage at a campaign town hall meeting in Grimes, Iowa on Jan. 20, 2020.]()
Credit: REUTERS/Brian Snyder