State Rep. René Oliveira arrested, charged with DWI
State Rep. René Oliveira, D-Brownsville, has been arrested and charged with driving while intoxicated, according to authorities. 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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![Mugshot of state Rep. René Oliveira, D-Brownsville. Oliveira was arrested Friday night, April 27, 2018, and charged with driving while intoxicated.]()
Credit: Brownsville Police Department -
Nine candidates file for June 30 special election to fill Farenthold's seat
Nine candidates have filed for the June 30 special election to finish former U.S. Rep. Blake Farenthold's term, according to the secretary of state's office. The deadline was 5 p.m. Friday. Full Story
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![U.S. Rep. Blake Farenthold, R-Corpus Christi.]()
Credit: Facebook -
Rep. Larry Phillips to step down from the Texas House on Monday
The Sherman Republican will step down April 30. Full Story
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![Rep. Larry Phillips R-Sherman at the back microphone of Texas House floor during the 2017 legislative session.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Abbott wants Farenthold to "cover all costs" of special election
In a letter Wednesday, Gov. Greg Abbott told former U.S. Rep. Blake Farenthold he should return $84,000 that he used to settle a sexual harassment claim to taxpayers by funding a June 30 special election to finish his term. Full Story
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![Gov. Greg Abbott (left) and former U.S. Rep. Blake Farenthold, R-Corpus Christi.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera: Abbott/Bob Daemmrich: Farenthold -
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott schedules June 30 special election to fill U.S. Rep. Blake Farenthold's seat
Gov. Greg Abbott has called a June 30 special election to replace former U.S. Rep. Blake Farenthold, R-Corpus Christi. The candidate filing deadline is Friday. Farenthold abruptly resigned in April. Full Story
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![Then-U.S. Rep. Blake Farenthold arrives to a House Judiciary Committee hearing in Washington, D.C., on Dec. 13, 2017.]()
Credit: REUTERS/Joshua Roberts -
Texas AG Paxton gives Abbott green light on sped-up special election for Farenthold seat
It's unclear when Gov. Greg Abbott hopes to call the election to represent a district ravaged by Hurricane Harvey. Full Story
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![Gov. Greg Abbott talks to the press after casting his vote in Austin on Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2018, the first day of early voting in Texas for the March primary elections.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
Abbott wants special election for Farenthold seat as soon as possible
Gov. Greg Abbott is seeking guidance from Attorney General Ken Paxton on whether he can suspend certain laws he believes are standing in the way of a timely special election for the congressional seat recently vacated by Blake Farenthold. Full Story
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![Gov. Greg Abbott speaks at a get out the vote rally in Houston on Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2018, the first day of early voting for Republican and Democratic primaries in Texas.]()
Credit: Pu Ying Huang for The Texas Tribune -
Straus endorses candidate to replace him in House District 121
House Speaker Joe Straus, R-San Antonio, endorsed Steve Allison on Thursday to replace Straus in House District 121. Straus is not seeking re-election after representing the district since 2005. Full Story
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![Outgoing Texas Speaker of the House Joe Straus (left) and Steve Allison, who's in the Republican runoff to replace Straus in Texas House District 121.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich: Straus/Campaign website: Allison -
Andrew White proposes cutting border security, expanding gambling to fund a $5,000 raise for teachers
The Democrat running for governor says his $6.5 billion plan would also fund universal full-day Pre-K and a $5,000 college scholarship for anyone who graduates from a public high school with a 3.0 GPA or better. Full Story
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![Andrew White, Democratic candidate for governor, speaks at a Texas Tribune event on Jan. 11, 2018.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Texas candidate for Blake Farenthold's seat fires firm over allegations consultant "sexually enslaved" fiancee
Republican Michael Cloud's campaign cut ties with RedRock Strategies of Nevada after news emerged that a since-fired employee there was charged with a misdemeanor count of domestic battery following a dispute with his ex-fiancee. Full Story
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![Michael Cloud is a Republican candidate for U.S. House District 27, left vacant when former U.S. Rep. Blake Farenthold, R-Corpus Christi, resigned on April 6, 2018.]()
Credit: Facebook campaign page