Ross Ramsey

Ross Ramsey co-founded The Texas Tribune in 2009 and served as its executive editor until his retirement in 2022. He wrote regular columns on politics, government and public policy. Before joining the Tribune, he was editor and co-owner of Texas Weekly. He did a 28-month stint in government with the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts. Before that, he reported for the Houston Chronicle, the Dallas Times Herald, as a Dallas-based freelancer for regional and national magazines and newspapers, and for radio stations in Denton and Dallas.

Latest Contributions

Ron Paul ... Not Your Average Texas Candidate

By Ross Ramsey July 18, 2011

Ron Paul has been a national figure for so long that it’s easy to forget he’s one of ours. You know. Texan. Full Story

Credit: Gage Skidmore
TribWeek: In Case You Missed It

By Ross Ramsey July 16, 2011

Check our new Perrypedia — a home for stories and data about you-know-who, Ramshaw on health care in the colonias, Root's look back at Rick Perry's years as a Democrat, M. Smith on the pressures facing the TEA, yours truly on David Dewhurst's impact on the U.S. Senate race, E. Smith's panel discussion on the Cameron Todd Willingham case, Hamilton on Perry and higher ed, Murphy on who's paying the pole tax, Grissom on Alto's decision to close its police department, Aguilar on labor and security worries over trucking on the border and Galbraith on what government can't do during a drought: The best of our best content from July 11 to 15, 2011. Full Story

Credit: Illustration by Todd Wiseman
Cruz Raises Most, Leppert Has Most in Senate Race

By Ross Ramsey July 15, 2011

The three declared Republican candidates for Kay Bailey Hutchison's U.S. Senate seat released mid-year campaign finance totals today. Tom Leppert got to the end of June with more money in the bank than either Ted Cruz or Elizabeth Ames Jones. Full Story

Credit: Bob Daemmrich
Another Ratliff in Texas Politics?

By Ross Ramsey July 15, 2011

Bennett Ratliff, son of the former lieutenant governor and brother of the State Board of Education member, is jumping into the race to replace Rep. Jim Jackson, R-Carrollton, in the Texas House. Full Story

Credit: Bob Daemmrich
First Election Stop: San Antonio

By Ross Ramsey July 14, 2011

That exhibition of musical chairs is contingent on the outcomes of several lawsuits filed against this or that piece of the new political maps drawn by the Legislature earlier this year. Full Story

Credit: Illustration by Todd Wiseman
Campaign Chatter

By Ross Ramsey July 14, 2011

The legislative session is over, the new maps have been drawn, and candidates are starting to make their decisions about whether to run, and for what offices. Full Story
Perry's Pact With Social Conservatives Vaulted Him Atop His Party

By Ross Ramsey July 14, 2011

Rick Perry has forged a coalition of economic, religious and social conservatives that helped him become the state's longest-serving governor, poised to run a national race. Full Story

Credit: Illustration by Caleb Bryant Miller
Dewhurst Casts Long Shadow in Senate Race

By Ross Ramsey July 12, 2011

David Dewhurst might be the safest bet for the U.S. Senate since former Florida Gov. Charlie Crist. But nothing is guaranteed in politics. Just ask Crist. Full Story

Credit: Bob Daemmrich
Perry Names Smitherman to Railroad Commission

By Ross Ramsey July 8, 2011

Gov. Rick Perry is moving Barry Smitherman from the Public Utility Commission to the Texas Railroad Commission, replacing Michael Williams, who resigned earlier this year to run for Congress. Full Story
Redistricting Fights Move From Capitol to Courthouse

By Ross Ramsey July 8, 2011

Texas lawmakers actually finished their redistricting work this year, drawing new maps for Congress, the Texas House and Senate, and for the State Board of Education. But the fight is just starting, and could last beyond next year’s elections. Full Story

Credit: Illustration by Todd Wiseman