/https://static.texastribune.org/media/profiles/Zach_Despart_HC_TT_02.jpg)
Zach Despart is a politics reporter for The Texas Tribune. He investigates power — who wields it, how and to what ends — through the lens of Texas government. He has extensively covered the Uvalde school shooting, including a groundbreaking investigation on the role the gunman’s rifle played in the disastrous police response. He previously covered Harris County for the Houston Chronicle, where he reported on corruption, elections, disaster preparedness and the region’s recovery from Hurricane Harvey. An upstate New York native, he received his bachelor’s degree in political science and film from the University of Vermont.
Sharp leaves after having transformed the institution, embedding it into state government, expanding its reach and boosting its academic and athletic reputation. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/2601c569bf2653aed43697acfc5daf34/0327%20John%20Sharp%20Office%20SF%2016.JPG)
The Texas Criminal Court of Appeals cited stunning allegations of prosecutorial misconduct that led to Cook spending 20 years on death row. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/756ede613490d599a935f1a2b834296d/Kerry%20Max%20Cook%20REUTERS%20TT%2001.jpg)
After coming in second in the primary, Phelan was at a disadvantage heading into the runoff. With record breaking cash infusions, Phelan blanketed airwaves and hired an army of campaign staffers. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/163a1a7ad99309e2350d8475b6c95755/0528%20Dade%20Phelan%20Runoff%20MF%20TT%2022.jpg)
Business-minded Republicans spent millions trying to save Phelan, whose far-right opponent had the backing of Donald Trump, Ken Paxton and Dan Patrick. Phelan won by 366 votes, according to unofficial returns. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/660d28c578f9675dcba699dd9dd5ab99/0528%20Dade%20Phelan%20Runoff%20MF%20TT%2011.JPG)
Texans are heading to the polls Tuesday to make their final selections for which Democrats and Republicans will run for various seats in the November election. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/65b1ff5fd9ae5fcfb731eb3eac078bb9/May%2011%20House%20Deadline%20BD%20TT%2001.jpg)
Phelan’s primary has emerged as a last stand for the Republican Party’s business-minded establishment against an insurgency primarily motivated by social and cultural issues. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/666ec370733595a5f7d2f3e46faed021/0110%20Lege%20Opening%20JV%20TT%2034.jpg)
Hartzell’s protest response has also resulted in condemnations from students and faculty. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/3bd6d25e6f477a9cf7b0042f5d458f0b/UT%20TIE%20Presser%20LW%20TT%2006.jpg)
Gonzales, 43, faces Brandon Herrera in the May primary runoff election for South Texas District 23. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/f6ab54629bd66d39eb708d6ec4fe5e9f/0428%20Tony%20Gonzales%20EL%20TT%2001.jpg)
Examining charitable bail organizations and banning Delta 9 were also among Patrick’s priorities in the next legislative session. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/60f60aae587caf68c915b55b9ed342c4/0628%20Second%20Special%20Session%20EL%20TT%2020.jpg)
Club for Growth announced it will spend $4 million on a TV ad targeting five anti-school voucher Texas House Republicans. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/1609a753a81cd026a4a8a0ed78b3a5b0/0126%20House%20District%2021%20MF%20TT%2008.jpg)