U.S. Rep. Will Hurd rolls out group to build more diverse GOP
The Future Leaders Fund, a super PAC, plans to spend millions of dollars in the 2020 primaries. 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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![U.S. Rep. Will Hurd, R-Helotes, speaks with Texas Tribune CEO Evan Smith at the opening keynote of the Texas Tribune Festival in Austin on Thursday, Sept. 25, 2019.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
Arrest warrant issued for state Rep. Poncho Nevárez after he was caught on tape dropping envelope with cocaine
The document says that the envelope had Nevárez's official House seal and held “four small clear baggies” containing a substance found to include cocaine. Full Story
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![State Rep. Poncho Nevárez, D-Eagle Pass, on the House floor on May 1, 2019.]()
Credit: Juan Figueroa/The Texas Tribune -
Retiring U.S. Rep. Will Hurd endorses candidate to succeed him
The Helotes Republican gave his support Wednesday to former Navy officer Tony Gonzales. Full Story
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![U.S. Rep. Will Hurd, R-Helotes, speaks with Texas Tribune CEO Evan Smith at the opening keynote of the Texas Tribune Festival in Austin on Thursday, Sept. 25, 2019.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
Joe Biden ramps up Texas campaign, naming state director
The Democratic presidential candidate is also getting support from another Texas state senator, Burleson’s Beverly Powell. Full Story
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![Former Vice President and presidential candidate Joe Biden speaks at the National Education association presidential forum in Houston on Friday, July 5, 2019.]()
Credit: Michael Stravato for The Texas Tribune -
State Rep. Poncho Nevárez won't seek reelection in 2020
The Eagle Pass Democrat, who chairs the House Homeland Security and Public Safety Committee, announced the decision Friday, saying it's "time to come home." Full Story
![State Rep. Poncho Nevárez, D-Eagle Pass, on the House floor on May 1, 2019.]()
Credit: Juan Figueroa/The Texas Tribune -
Top Texas GOP donor resigns from company after admitting to prohibited contributions
James Dannenbaum, president and CEO of the high-powered Dannenbaum Engineering, was charged with a scheme to get employees to donate to three congressional candidates in 2017. Full Story
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![Vice Chairman James D. Dannenbaum, right, and Regent Brenda Pejovich, left, at the Board of Regents meeting for The University of Texas System on Feb. 14, 2013.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
Sylvester Turner to face Tony Buzbee in runoff for Houston mayor
Vote counting continued through the night. When results were released early Wednesday morning, the incumbent was short of the total he needed to avoid a runoff. Full Story
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![Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner speaks with the media after arriving at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2019.]()
Credit: Sergio Flores for The Texas Tribune -
In race to replace Zerwas in Texas House, Democrat Eliz Markowitz and Republican Gary Gates head to a runoff
Democrats are hoping to flip Texas House District 28 in the upcoming runoff. Meanwhile, in Dallas' House District 100 race, five votes separate two candidates trying to make it to the second round. Full Story
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![HD-28 candidates Democrat Elizabeth “Eliz” Markowitz and Republican Gary Gates will likely face each other in a runoff election to replace outgoing state Rep. John Zerwas in the Fort Bend County district.]()
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Castro gets support of nine lawmakers who previously backed O'Rourke as he tries to shore up his campaign
The wave of endorsements comes four days after O'Rourke dropped out of the race — and as Castro searches for a path forward for his cash-strapped campaign. Full Story
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![Katy Tur interviews presidential candidate Julián Castro at The Texas Tribune Festival on Saturday, Sept. 28, 2019.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
Both sides brace for a more action-packed runoff in special election for Zerwas seat
The Tuesday special election for the suburban Houston seat is expected to advance to a runoff between the sole Democratic candidate and one of three viable Republican candidates out of six overall. Full Story
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![People wait to vote after polling places' official 7:00 closing time, at Tompkins High School in Katy in Fort Bend Co. on Nov. 6, 2018.]()
Credit: Michael Stravato for The Texas Tribune