Greg Abbott sets March 12 as date of special election runoff for San Antonio state House seat
The race pits Republican Fred Rangel against Democrat Ray Lopez for the seat formerly held by state Rep. Justin Rodriguez, D-San Antonio. 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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![From left: Fred Rangel and Ray Lopez.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Beto O'Rourke keeps up suspense with days until anticipated 2020 decision
The former congressman and U.S. Senate nominee is still hoping to make up his mind about the presidential race by the end of the month — which is nine days away. Full Story
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![Former U.S. Rep. Beto O'Rourke speaks at the El Pasoan of the Year ceremony in El Paso on Feb. 19, 2019.]()
Credit: Photo courtesy El Paso Inc./Jorge Salgado -
Trump's border national emergency plan draws outrage and legal threats from some in Texas
The president looks poised to sign a bill that will avert another government shutdown, then use an emergency declaration to instruct the military to build his wall. From Congress to the border, Texans react. Full Story
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![U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during a campaign rally at El Paso County Coliseum in El Paso on Feb. 11, 2019.]()
Credit: REUTERS/Leah Millis -
Beto O'Rourke hits the road again with 2020 decision looming
The former Democratic congressman and U.S. Senate candidate from Texas is making stops this weekend in Wisconsin and Illinois. Full Story
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![Beto O'Rourke speaks to his supporters after losing to Ted Cruz in the 2018 midterm elections, in El Paso on Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018.]()
Credit: Ivan Pierre Aguirre for The Texas Tribune -
Republican, Democrat advance to runoff for Texas House seat in San Antonio
Republican Fred Rangel and Democrat Ray Lopez are heading to an overtime round in the race to replace former state Rep. Justin Rodriguez, D-San Antonio. Full Story
![From left: Fred Rangel and Ray Lopez.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Special election runoff to replace Carol Alvarado in Texas House to be held March 5
Voters will decide the successor to former state Rep. Carol Alvarado, D-Houston, who was elected to the Texas Senate in December. Full Story
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![Melissa Noriega and Christina Morales. Jan 29, 2019.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr. / The Texas Tribune -
Beto O'Rourke turbocharges 2020 buzz with response to Trump rally in El Paso
The former Democratic congressman and U.S. Senate candidate avoided talking about 2020 on Monday — but it was virtually unavoidable as he starred in a split-screen night with President Donald Trump. Full Story
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![Former U.S. Rep. and possible presidential candidate Beto O'Rourke joins a march to a rally in response to President Donald Trump's first 2019 rally in El Paso on Feb. 11, 2019.]()
Credit: Ivan Pierre Aguirre for The Texas Tribune -
Four Democrats and one Republican vie for Justin Rodriguez's Texas House seat
The Democratic state representative from San Antonio gave up his seat in January after being appointed Bexar County commissioner. Full Story
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![From left: Gov. Greg Abbott and Republican candidate for Texas House District 25, Fred Rangel. Jan. 31, 2019.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Donald Trump and Beto O’Rourke go head-to-head in El Paso
As the president kicked off his re-election campaign and tried to marshal support for his border wall, one of his possible 2020 opponents spoke to thousands across the street in a counter-rally. Full Story
![U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during a campaign rally at El Paso County Coliseum in El Paso on Feb. 11, 2019.]()
Credit: REUTERS/Leah Millis -
Beto O'Rourke to march, speak against border wall during Trump rally in El Paso
The rally comes as O'Rourke enters the final stages of deliberation over a potential presidential campaign. Full Story
Credit: REUTERS/Carlo Allegri: O'Rourke/REUTERS/Yuri Gripas: Trump
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