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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 Democratic primary for Texas' 21st Congressional District has put on display a growing debate over whether the party should court disaffected Republicans this year, focus on getting their revved-up base to the polls or do some of both. Full Story
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The recent Florida school shooting is spurring the Democratic gubernatorial field to press for new firearms restrictions, looking to draw a contrast with Republican Gov. Greg Abbott's response to the massacre — and touching on a sensitive subject in gun-loving Texas. Full Story
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Five Democrats are vying for a chance to take on U.S. Rep. Will Hurd, R-Helotes, in Texas' most competitive congressional district. Full Story
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If the three House primary challengers Gov. Greg Abbott has endorsed lose their races on March 6, it won't be for a lack of trying on the governor's part. Full Story
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In his first public comments since the Parkland, Florida, high school shooting last week, Abbott called the status quo "unacceptable." Full Story
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Texas may be a red state, but for at least the weekend, it served the role of a battleground for two party leaders determined to put their spin on President Donald Trump's agenda in the lead-up to the midterm elections. Full Story
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U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, is aligning with President Donald Trump in highlighting the lack of evidence in recently issued indictments that Russia's government colluded with Trump's 2016 campaign to influence the election. Full Story
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Brooke Rollins, the CEO and president of the Texas Public Policy Foundation, is leaving to join the White House. Full Story
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Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick on Friday jumped into the hotly contested Republican primary for Senate District 8, endorsing Angela Paxton, wife of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, over Phillip Huffines, the twin brother of a sitting state senator. Full Story
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U.S. Rep. Beto O'Rourke, D-El Paso, announced Friday that he raised over $2.2 million in the first 45 days of 2018 for his U.S. Senate campaign. Full Story
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