/https://static.texastribune.org/media/profiles/Ben_Philpot.jpg)
Ben Philpott is a senior reporter for KUT-FM, Austin’s National Public Radio affiliate. He has been covering state politics and dozens of other topics for the station since 2002, during which time he has been recognized for outstanding radio journalism by the Radio and Television News Directors Association, Public Radio News Directors Incorporated, the Houston Press Club and the Texas Associated Press Broadcasters. Before moving to Texas, he worked in public radio in Birmingham and Tuscaloosa, Ala., and at several television stations in Alabama and Tennessee. Born in New York City and raised in Chattanooga, Tennessee, Philpott graduated from the University of Alabama with a degree in broadcast journalism.
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Hank Gilbert stopped in Austin Wednesday to deliver a speech on energy and the environment — the sixth policy proposal he’s released so far. Can Gilbert gain traction by focusing early and often on the issues? Full Story
Texas lawmakers got their chance Tuesday to ask questions about the recent changes on the Texas Forensic Science Commission. Governor Rick Perry replaced several members of the commission – including its chair just days before it was to hear a report that questioned the science used to convict and execute Cameron Todd Willingham for the arson deaths of his three children. Full Story
We’re still a few weeks away from the first day candidates can file for various state offices. But over the last few months -- Republicans in Travis County have been working hard to make sure they can fill as many office slots as possible. Not the easiest of jobs in what’s considered a Democratic stronghold. Full Story
“You don’t miss your water till your well runs dry.” The old song might be especially true in Texas, a state with massive population growth and not enough water. Reporting on the 2010 election for Tribune partner KUT-FM, Mose Buchele considers what our next governor of will have to tackle when it comes to water policy. Full Story
Although Texas has more massive universities and small colleges than just about any other state, higher education doesn't rank high among issues in play during the governor's race. Reporting on the 2010 election for Tribune partner KUT-FM, Nathan Bernier explains why some people think it deserves greater attention. Full Story
Almost all of the talk so far about the 2010 gubernatorial race has focused on the battle on the Republican side of the ticket. Democrats have been an afterthought because of a little known or lightly regarded slate of candidates. But Democrats hope a vicious GOP primary battle could damage the majority party enough to carry them to back to power next fall. Ben Philpott is covering the Texas governor’s race for KUT News and the Texas Tribune. He reports on the scenarios that Democrats hope will play out to give them a shot at their first state-wide office in years. Full Story
Governor Rick Perry's campaign spokesman Mark Miner says he's pleased with the poll results showing the incumbent governor with a double digit lead on his main opponent, U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison. Miner's unconcerned about the poll showing Perry in a virtual dead heat against a generic Democrat next November. He says against "real people", the governor does just fine. Full Story
A spokeswoman for Republican gubernatorial hopeful Debra Medina on the bright spots in the UT/Texas Tribune poll, and why she thinks it bodes well for the campaign. Full Story
Democrat Hank Gilbert's campaign isn't pleased with the Tribune poll. Gilbert spokesman Vince Leibowitz explains why. Full Story
Democratic gubernatorial hopeful Tom Schieffer's spokesman, Clay Robison, says it doesn’t surprise him that Schieffer trails Friedman because of name ID and the 2006 gubernatorial race. Robison points to what the poll shows about incumbent Governor Rick Perry – that voters ready to get rid of him – and would consider a Democrat. Full Story