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Jay Root

Jay Root’s staff photo

Jay Root is an award-winning journalist who reported for the Tribune from 2011 to 2020. He covered the dramatic collapse of Gov. Rick Perry’s 2012 presidential campaign and went on to write an ebook about it called “Oops! A Diary from the 2012 Campaign Trail.” Root also broke the story that put the Texas attorney general, Ken Paxton, on the path toward criminal indictment, co-wrote an exposé that brought an end to privately funded prosecutions in Travis County, and authored a series of watchdog articles that prompted a wave of firings and resignations at two major state agencies. In 2017, Root co-directed “Beyond The Wall,” a film exploring border politics in the age of Trump, which won a national Edward R. Murrow award for best news documentary. Root’s latest film, “Border Hustle,” was released in early 2019 and reveals how desperate migrants have become cash cows on both sides of the border. Previously, for a dozen years, Root was Austin bureau chief of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, where he chronicled the rise of then-Gov. George W. Bush, wrote about cartel violence in Mexico and covered Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita. During a three-year stint at the Associated Press, Root was twice named AP Staff Reporter of the Year for his watchdog reporting, including a story that sparked felony charges against a sitting state representative.

Past Contributions

  • Hutchison Not Jumping On Board Perry Train

    By Jay Root

    U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, who got trounced by Gov. Rick Perry in the 2010 gubernatorial race, isn’t exactly jumping on board her old rival’s presidential wagon. She signaled in an MSNBC interview that she wants a candidate with private-sector experience. Full Story 

    U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison and Gov. Rick Perry.
    Credit: Bob Daemmrich

  • Cloud of Controversy Hangs Over "Prayerpalooza"

    By Jay Root

    Gov. Rick Perry is finally getting the kind of national spotlight he’ll need to run for president, but this weekend’s “day of prayer and fasting” rally in Houston may not be the kind of attention he was looking for. Full Story 

    Article thumbnail
    Credit: Illustration by Todd Wiseman / Jim Ellwanger

  • Audio: Rick Perry's Remarks to Western Conservative Summit

    By Jay Root

    After an introduction by former Colorado Gov. Bill Owens, Gov. Rick Perry speaks to conservative activists at the Western Conservative Summit in Denver. Perry focused his attention on the economy and Barack Obama, but made a brief mention of his controversial remarks about gay marriage. Full Story 

    Gov. Rick Perry stops for an impromptu press conference in the hallway behind the Senate chamber on July 19, 2011.
    Credit: Bob Daemmrich

  • Santorum Blasts Perry in Denver

    By Jay Root

    Rick Perry drew direct fire from a potential rival Friday night when GOP presidential contender Rick Santorum attacked the Texas governor’s recent comments about how far states can go in setting policies on gay marriage and abortion. Full Story 

    July 27th,perry 2011
    Credit: Jay Root

  • Perry Beating Santorum — in Book Sales

    By Jay Root

    Gov. Rick Perry, who has at least one eye on the White House, is already beating potential rival Rick Santorum in this quite unofficial contest: book sales at the Western Conservative Summit in Denver. The two were expected to sign books, in the same room, Friday afternoon. Full Story 

    June 18, 2011 - New Orleans
    Credit: Jay Root

  • Perry Faces Straw Poll Test in Colorado

    By Jay Root

    Gov. Rick Perry’s name won’t appear on the key Iowa Straw Poll ballot, but he’ll face a test of his strength among Western conservatives this weekend in Denver in a straw poll of declared and undeclared Republican candidates. Full Story 

    Gov. Rick Perry walks in front of a projection screen at BioWare Corp. EA Games after making an economic development announcement on July 18, 2011.
    Credit: Bob Daemmrich