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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.
The July 31 special election to replace state Sen. Carlos Uresti, D-San Antonio, who resigned Thursday, has attracted eight candidates. The list includes Uresti's brother, Tomas Uresti, a state representative who lost his re-election bid in the March primary. Full Story
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Texas Democrats held their biennial convention this weekend in Fort Worth, putting on a largely united front and focusing intensely on the family separation crisis at the border, among other highlights from the three-day gathering. Full Story
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The family separations crisis quickly emerged as the top issue at the state Democratic biennial convention, fueling anger and enthusiasm as the minority party charges into a general election season determined to push back against Trump and his GOP allies in Texas. Full Story
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Jonathan Jenkins, a independent candidate for U.S. Senate in Texas, has drawn attention for the unusual setup of his campaign. But he missed the deadline Thursday to submit the more than 47,000 signatures he needed to qualify for the November ballot. Full Story
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Uresti, a San Antonio Democrat, announced his resignation Monday, four months after he was found guilty of 11 felonies. Full Story
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"This disgraceful condition must end; and it can only end with action by Congress to reform the broken immigration system," Abbott wrote in a letter to all members of the Texas delegation. Full Story
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House Speaker Joe Straus, R-San Antonio, wants President Donald Trump to end his administration's "zero tolerance" policy that has led to thousands of immigrant children being separated from their parents at the border. Full Story
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U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, defeated late-night TV host Jimmy Kimmel in a one-on-one basketball game that tested the patience of both players and spectators. The final score was 11-9. Full Story
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During this week's state Republican Party convention, various speakers took turns praising President Donald Trump. But the bitter race for state party chair and a debate over censures illustrated divisions among Texas Republicans. Full Story
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Dickey defeated longtime activist Cindy Asche in a floor fight at the party's state convention. Full Story
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