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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 runoff pits Susan Wright against fellow Republican Jake Ellzey after Democrats failed to advance a candidate in the Saturday special election. Full Story
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"I don't think he supports me; I don't support him," Paxton told The New York Times in a story published Tuesday. He later criticized the story as "fake news" and insisted he backed Abbott. Full Story
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The event next week is attracting a who's who of big-name Republicans who could run for the White House in a few years. Full Story
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Nearly two-dozen candidates are vying to fill the late congressman's seat, and the former president is backing Wright's widow, Susan Wright. Full Story
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Local elections are happening across Texas on Saturday, some of which have drawn statewide — and even national — attention. Full Story
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The lieutenant governor said Thursday he still does not have the votes to bring the proposal to the floor of the upper chamber, but he believes that will change by next week. Full Story
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The former president is set to appear on a tele-town hall Thursday to get out the vote for Wright in Saturday's contest. Full Story
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The governor broke his silence Tuesday on the legislation that has been building momentum at the Texas Capitol. Full Story
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The president on Tuesday also said he'll nominate former Texas congressional candidate Gina Ortiz Jones to serve as under secretary of the Air Force. Full Story
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Susan Wright is among 11 Republicans — and 23 candidates total — vying to replace her late husband, Ron Wright, R-Arlington, in Congress. Election day for the special election is Saturday. Full Story
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