Democrat Mike Collier is set to challenge Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick again in 2022
Collier was the 2018 Democratic nominee against Patrick and lost by 5 percentage points. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/463bb9b2dba322d4d375dfb2182739a5/Mike%20Collier%20BD%20TT%203776.jpg)
Patrick Svitek
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/profiles/Patrick_Svitek_Aug_2021TT_03.jpg)
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
-
![Democratic candidate for Lt. Governor Mike Collier spoke at a candidate rally in Lakeway for statewide and congressional candidates on Sept. 30, 2018.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott says he will boycott Major League Baseball events after the league pulled its All-Star Game from Georgia
Abbott also said Monday he was declining to throw out the ceremonial first pitch at the Texas Rangers' home opening game. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/19f79e9360e58f5d5c8bb0657423ef2d/%20Globe%20Life%20Field%20REUTERS%20TT.jpg)
![A view of the stands and the open roof at Globe Life Field.
Sep. 24, 2020.]()
Credit: Jerome Miron/USA TODAY Sports via REUTERS -
GOP congressional candidate in Texas special election loses prominent supporters after racist comment about Chinese immigrants
Two of Sery Kim's biggest backers — the first Korean American Republicans to serve in Congress — withdrew their endorsements Friday after she said she doesn't want Chinese immigrants to come to America. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/ed6e97213dededf0332524859a543dd8/Sery%20Kim%20TT.jpg)
![Sery Kim is a Republican candidate for Texas’ 6th Congressional District.]()
Credit: Twitter -
After slow start, Texas lawmakers pick up the pace on GOP priorities as legislative session passes halfway mark
After some early tension, the Legislature's Republican leaders say they are on the same page with the business that remains. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/51cfc40409095a150dd46b748f405600/House%20Floor%20Phelan%20Jan%2012%20MG%20TT%2011.jpg)
![Newly-elected Speaker of the House Dade Phelan addresses the House Floor on opening day of the 2021 Legislative Session on Jan. 12, 2021.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
South Texas emerges as political hotbed after Democrats underperformed there in 2020
Democrats will have to defend three seats in the region. And two of those seats could draw heated primary races, too. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/061feac66dea36bfcf130b8d707ae503/McAllen%20File%20MG%20TT%2002.jpg)
![Downtown McAllen on July 1, 2020.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Democrats view Texas congressional special election with a mix of optimism and caution after disappointing 2020
Ten Democrats are among 23 candidates running to replace the late U.S. Rep. Ron Wright, R-Arlington, in a May 1 special election. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/41f1eae809f242558cc9ab482119ab20/US%20Capitol%20DC%20REUTERS%20TT.jpg)
![The U.S. Capitol looms in the background as a woman walks among flags at the Washington Monument in Washington D.C. on May 27, 2020.]()
Credit: REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque -
After House stalls on readjusting electricity prices, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick urges Gov. Greg Abbott to use emergency powers
“The governor of Texas is a very powerful person,” Patrick said at a Capitol news conference, ramping up his dayslong campaign to get Abbott to intervene. “He can do anything he wants.” Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/ed9aff80a964b9c7b924d6d173ac2d41/Dan%20Patrick%20House%20TT%2002.jpg)
![Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick gave remarks at the State Capitol during the Texas Fallen Heroes ceremony on May 25, 2019.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera for The Texas Tribune -
Matthew McConaughey is flirting with a run for governor. But his politics remain a mystery.
The actor hasn't voted in a primary since at least 2012 and has never donated to a Texas or federal campaign. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/70da5caf99b75b68f65f68e09a67bc70/Matthew%20McConaughey%20TT%2002.jpg)
![Matthew McConaughey spoke at the March For Our Lives rally in Austin in 2018.]()
Credit: Shelby Knowles for The Texas Tribune -
TribCast: Texas' top three Republican leaders splinter over electricity repricing
On this week's episode, Patrick speaks with Ross, Cassi and Alexa about state leaders' disagreements over electricity repricing after the winter weather crisis. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/4dc2da0b5c5beb0f3562268f1575b36a/TribCast%20March%2017.jpg)
![El Paso Electric's Rio Grande Power Station on the New Mexico/Texas state line. Feb. 17, 2021.]()
Credit: Justin Hamel for The Texas Tribune -
Electricity repricing bill hits wall in House, marking first major schism with Senate this session
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick said the House "stood for big business" after Speaker Dade Phelan signaled skepticism about reversing billions of dollars in charges for wholesale electricity during last month’s winter storm. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/40dc468edd28f8c5018a4a79722c29c5/ATX%20Snowstorm%20Drone%20MG%20TT%2002.jpg)
![An eastern aerial view of Austin after a severe snowstorm dumped heavy snow and plummeted temperatures. Feb. 15, 2021.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune