Gov. Greg Abbott sets May 1 special election to fill seat of late U.S. Rep. Ron Wright
Candidates have until March 3 to file, and early voting begins April 19. 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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![People vote at Audelia Road Branch Library on the first day of early voting in Dallas on Oct. 13, 2020.]()
Credit: Montinique Monroe for The Texas Tribune -
Dan Patrick announces 2021 priorities focused on pandemic, power grid and socially conservative issues
In addition to bills responding to COVID-19 and the recent winter storm, Patrick is calling for legislation related to abortion, gun rights and the national anthem at sporting events. Full Story
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![Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick gavels in the Senate chamber at the Capitol on the second day of the 2021 legislative session on Jan. 13, 2021.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Susan Wright, GOP activist and wife of late U.S. Rep. Ron Wright, moving toward campaign to replace him
She could launch a bid as soon as this week, according to sources close to the Wright family. Full Story
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![Pedestrians walk along the East Front of the U.S. Capitol Building on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S. on Dec. 4, 2020.]()
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National Republicans say they'll target five U.S. House seats held by Texas Democrats in 2022
The National Republican Congressional Committee announced Wednesday that its initial list of targets includes three representatives from South Texas: Henry Cuellar of Laredo, Vicente Gonzalez of McAllen and Filemon Vela of Brownsville. Full Story
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![The U.S. Capitol. Democratic members of the House prepare articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 12, 2021.]()
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Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick starts 2021 legislative session with an unusually low profile
The lieutenant governor is not starting the biennial legislative session in his characteristically outspoken style, particularly when it comes to making clear his policy priorities. Full Story
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![Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick spoke to Tarrant county Tea Party supporters in Grapevine for the Spread the Red event on Oct. 17, 2018.]()
Credit: Leslie Boorhem-Stephenson for The Texas Tribune -
Gov. Greg Abbott sets Feb. 23 special election runoff date for race to succeed Drew Springer in Texas House
The race for the solidly red seat in Northwest Texas pits David Spiller against fellow Republican Craig Carter. Full Story
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![A young women wearing a face covering votes inside the polling location at University Park United Methodist Church in Dallas, on Nov. 3, 2020.]()
Credit: Ben Torres for The Texas Tribune -
Four years in, the Freedom Caucus finds a less contentious role in the Texas House
The group of hardline conservatives made waves in 2017 by sparring with House leadership and fellow Republicans. Now members say relationships with the broader chamber have improved. Full Story
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![The state Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Gov. Greg Abbott open to reforming his emergency powers after months of criticism from both parties
The Republican governor said his office is "offering up some legislation ourselves" to deal with some intraparty concerns about executive authority that have cropped up during the coronavirus pandemic. Full Story
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![Gov. Greg Abbott announces a strike force in charge of laying steps to re-open the Texas economy at a press conference in the Capitol in Austin on April 17, 2020.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./POOL via The Texas Tribune -
With John Cornyn’s support, new Texas coalition forms to push for congressional fix for “Dreamers”
The Texas Opportunity Coalition includes chambers of commerce, other economic development groups and institutions of higher learning. Full Story
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![Protesters gather as the U.S. Supreme Court hears arguments on whether the 2017 Trump Administration decision to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program is lawful, in Washington, D.C., on Nov. 12, 2019.]()
Credit: USA Today Network via REUTERS -
Texas GOP fires staffer after he posted video from Capitol riot and spread false conspiracy theories at D.C. pizzeria
The field organizer was fired after The Texas Tribune asked about the posts on social media, which also included him praising the far-right Proud Boys. Full Story
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![Pro-Trump rioters protested and stormed into the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 6, 2021.]()
Credit: REUTERS/Stephanie Keith