Abbott calls Feb. 12 special election to replace Justin Rodriguez in Texas House
Rodriguez gave up the San Antonio seat after being appointed Bexar County commissioner last week. 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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![State Rep. Justin Rodriguez, D-San Antonio, during a hearing held by the Interim Committee on Higher Education Formula Funding in Austin on Feb. 21, 2018.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera for The Texas Tribune -
President Trump to visit U.S.-Mexico border Thursday
President Donald Trump is making a trip to the United States' border with Mexico on Thursday. It wasn't immediately clear whether he would visit Texas. Full Story
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![President Donald Trump arrives at Ellington Field Joint Reserve Base in Houston on Oct. 22, 2018. Trump is in Texas to attend a rally at the Toyota Center.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera for The Texas Tribune -
Justin Rodriguez leaving Texas House after being appointed Bexar County commissioner
The San Antonio Democrat was selected to replace Bexar County Commissioner Paul Elizondo, who died last week. Full Story
![State Rep. Justin Rodriguez, D-San Antonio, during a hearing held by the Interim Committee on Higher Education Formula Funding in Austin on Feb. 21, 2018.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera for The Texas Tribune -
8 file in special election to replace Carol Alvarado; 3 sign up for Joe Pickett's seat
There will be special elections on Jan. 29 in two Texas House districts to fill vacant seats, and the filing deadline was 5 p.m. Thursday. Full Story
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![State Sen. -elect Carol Alvarado, D-Houston, and outgoing state Rep. Joe Pickett, D-El Paso.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
Dennis Bonnen has spent half his life in the Texas House. Is he ready to run it?
Twenty-two years after joining the Texas House as its youngest member, state Rep. Dennis Bonnen is poised to replace Joe Straus as the chamber's speaker on Jan. 8. Full Story
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![State Rep. Dennis Bonnen, R-Angleton]()
Credit: Photo Illustration by Emily Albracht / Robert Daemmrich and Anneke Els Paterson for the Texas Tribune -
Dennis Bonnen has spent half his life in the Texas House. Is he ready to run it?
Twenty-two years after joining the Texas House as its youngest member, state Rep. Dennis Bonnen is poised to take over the chamber's reins on Jan. 8. Full Story
![State Rep. Dennis Bonnen, R-Angleton]()
Credit: Photo Illustration by Emily Albracht / Robert Daemmrich and Anneke Els Paterson for the Texas Tribune -
Joaquin Castro says twin brother Julián Castro is running for president
The San Antonio congressman erased any lingering doubt during a joint interview that aired Thursday night on CBS's "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert." Full Story
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![Former U.S. housing secretary and San Antonio mayor Julián Castro talks to reporters about his potential run for president in 2020. Castro held the press conference in his home in San Antonio on Dec. 12, 2018.]()
Credit: Robin Jerstad for The Texas Tribune -
Julián Castro forms presidential exploratory committee, sets Jan. 12 announcement
The former U.S. housing secretary and San Antonio mayor took another step toward a 2020 presidential run Wednesday. Full Story
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![Former U.S. housing secretary and San Antonio mayor Julián Castro talks to reporters about his potential run for president in 2020, in San Antonio on Dec. 12, 2018.]()
Credit: Robin Jerstad for The Texas Tribune -
State Rep. Carol Alvarado wins special election to replace Sylvia Garcia in Texas Senate
The Houston Democrat narrowly avoided a runoff Tuesday night as unofficial results showed she prevailed in the special election to succeed ex-state Sen. Sylvia Garcia. Full Story
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![State Rep. Carol Alvarado, D-Houston, at a discussion of the impending special session hosted by The Texas Tribune on July 19, 2017.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
Ted Cruz endorses John Cornyn for re-election
The state's senior senator is seeking a fourth term in the chamber. Full Story
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![Republican U.S. Sens. Ted Cruz (l) and John Cornyn]()
Credit: Jamelle Bouie / Marjorie Kamys Cotera