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Patrick Svitek is the primary political correspondent for The Texas Tribune. Patrick logged countless miles on the 2016 campaign trail, covering the many Texas angles of the momentous presidential race. He previously worked for the Houston Chronicle's Austin bureau. He graduated in 2014 from Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism. He is originally from Fort Wayne, Indiana.
Candidates across the state are being accused of "district shopping" as opponents question their ties to the places they want to represent. The dynamic is playing out mostly in GOP primaries and particularly in more rural districts. Full Story
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The governor is hitting the campaign trail for at least 10 House incumbents and candidates whom he has endorsed. Full Story
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A couple of The Texas Tribune's political nerds highlight (their latest version of) the most interesting races up and down the 2020 primary ballot. Full Story
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The president gave his backing to three candidates who have been leading their primary races but are trying to avoid runoffs in crowded fields. Full Story
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The retiring Bryan Republican is backing Waco business owner Renee Swann in the 11-way primary. Full Story
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The Republican-leaning business group went on TV on Tuesday in the nationally watched primary, which has drawn over $2 million in outside spending. Full Story
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A pro-Hegar group, VoteVets, is launching a $3.3 million TV ad buy backing her as she tries to make it to an all-but-guaranteed runoff. Full Story
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The filings were due Friday and shed new light on Texas' massive U.S. House battlefield, which includes seven Democrat-targeted seats, six open seats, two Republican-targeted seats and a couple of serious primary challenges. Full Story
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Some of the 12 candidates have clearer advantages than others, but it is an open question who will make a widely expected runoff. Full Story
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Engage Texas disclosed Friday that it raised another $2.3 million over the past six months — and that it has also grown to have almost 300 staff members. Full Story
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Campaign strategies — and the extent of Beto O'Rourke's involvement — were being contemplated after a big loss in a race that gained statewide attention. Full Story
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Cornyn will face the winner of a crowded Democratic primary. That group of hopefuls includes MJ Hegar, who announced Tuesday that she raised $1.1 million over the past three months. Full Story
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Democrats had hoped the race would build momentum for their push to take control of the Texas House in November. The Houston-area contest garnered national attention and overshadowed two other special election runoffs for House districts Tuesday. Full Story
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The Democratic presidential candidate is expanding its efforts in the state a little over a month before Texas' delegate-rich primary. Full Story
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Texas House District 28 is getting wide attention from Democrats, but it is far from the most competitive legislative district on their radar this year, and Republicans are confident ahead of a special election runoff Tuesday. Full Story
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The anti-tax Club for Growth on Thursday backed the Fort Worth congresswoman's primary challenger, Chris Putnam, ensuring that the race will remain action-packed even after she secured the president's backing last month. Full Story
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The lieutenant governor said Thursday he may decrease the threshold to a simple majority if Republicans lose one or two seats in November. Full Story
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The U.S. senator from Massachusetts is the latest Democratic presidential candidate to get involved in the Jan. 28 special election runoff for House District 28. Full Story
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The Massachusetts U.S. senator’s latest endorsements come from four state lawmakers who represent O’Rourke’s native El Paso and previously supported him or Castro. Full Story
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West has raised more than 25 times what incumbent James Dickey has — and more than half of West's haul came from conservative megadonor Richard Uihlein. Full Story
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