Greg Abbott tells every university in Texas to re-evaluate processes in light of admissions scandal
A tennis coach at the University of Texas was among those charged in the fallout from the scandal. 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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![Governor Greg Abbott in the Governor’s mansion. Jan. 8, 2019.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune. -
Democrats hold on to Texas House seat in San Antonio special election runoff
Democrat Ray Lopez won the special election runoff Tuesday night for the seat formerly held by state Rep. Justin Rodriguez, D-San Antonio. Full Story
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![Ray Lopez is the Democratic candidate seeking election in District 125.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Beto O'Rourke plans Iowa trip as 2020 announcement nears
The former El Paso congressman is expected to visit the critical early voting state to stump for a state legislative candidate. Full Story
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![Beto O'Rourke and his wife Amy Sanders O'Rourke walk onto the stage to address his supporters after losing to Ted Cruz in the 2018 midterm elections, Tuesday, November 6, 2018, in El Paso, Texas.]()
Credit: Ivan Pierre Aguirre for The Texas Tribune -
In special election runoff for Texas House seat, Democrats work to avoid repeat of 2018 upset
Tuesday's special election runoff for House District 125 is drawing many comparisons to the state Senate race that Democrats lost last year — but this time, the party isn't leaving anything up to chance. Full Story
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![From left: Fred Rangel and Ray Lopez.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Presidential campaign would test Beto O'Rourke's elusive political identity
Republicans spent last year insisting O'Rourke was too liberal for Texas. Democrats have since scrutinized him from the left, an examination that will only intensify if he jumps into the presidential race. Full Story
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![Beto O'Rourke leads a counter protest with thousands of other El Pasoans at the same time President Trump holds a campaign rally, Monday, February 11, 2019, in El Paso, TX. Photo by Ivan Pierre Aguirre]()
Credit: Ivan Pierre Aguirre for the San Antonio Express-News -
Democrat Christina Morales wins Texas House seat formerly held by Alvarado
Carol Alvarado gave up the seat in December after winning a promotion to the Texas Senate. Full Story
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![Christina Morales.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Houston voters to decide Tuesday between 2 Democrats for Carol Alvarado's Texas House seat
Democrats Christina Morales and Melissa Noriega are on the ballot Tuesday for the Texas House seat previously held by now-state Sen. Carol Alvarado, D-Houston. Full Story
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![Melissa Noriega and Christina Morales. Jan 29, 2019.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr. / The Texas Tribune -
Beto O'Rourke says he's decided his 2020 plans — but isn't ready to announce them yet
The former El Paso congressman and 2018 U.S. Senate candidate ruled out running against U.S. Sen. John Cornyn. Whether he'll make a White House bid is still unknown. Full Story
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![U.S. Rep. Beto O'Rourke, D-El Paso speaks to his supporters at the final campaign rally before elections at UTEP, Monday, November 5, 2018, in El Paso, Texas. Photo by Ivan Pierre Aguirre for The Texas Tribune]()
Credit: Ivan Pierre Aguirre for The Texas Tribune -
Julián Castro adds national, New Hampshire staff to 2020 campaign
The Democratic presidential candidate is growing his campaign's San Antonio-based national team and making his first hires in the first-in-the-nation primary state. Full Story
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![Democratic presidential candidate Julián Castro speaks during a campaign stop at The Livery Deli, in Boone, Iowa, U.S., February 23, 2019.]()
Credit: REUTERS/Scott Morgan -
Aiming for 50 states, Julián Castro makes his debut in an early and important one: Iowa
The Texas Democrat arrived Thursday in the Hawkeye State — his first trip there as a declared presidential candidate — and is planning trips this week to Idaho and Utah. Full Story
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![U.S. 2020 Democratic presidential candidate Julián Castro speaks during a campaign stop at The Livery Deli, in Boone, Iowa on Feb. 23, 2019.]()
Credit: REUTERS/Scott Morgan