After 2018 wake-up call, Texas Republicans were ready to fight back this year
Republicans held the line against the biggest push to turn Texas blue in recent history. 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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![A Trump supporter with his truck at Harris County Trini Mendenhall Community Center in Houston,Tuesday, November 3, 2020 as voters head to the polls.]()
Credit: Michael Stravato for The Texas Tribune -
Joe Biden’s struggles along the Texas border raise questions about Democrats’ outreach there
Democrats once again won a large number of counties along or near the Texas-Mexico border, but by narrower margins than in recent elections. That showing played a big role in disappointing results for the state’s Democrats. Full Story
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![Curbside early voting at Brownsville's Main Branch Library on Oct. 21, 2020.]()
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John Cornyn defeats MJ Hegar to retain U.S. Senate seat
Hegar called Cornyn and conceded within minutes of the race being called, according to both campaigns. Cornyn gave a victory speech shortly after 9 p.m. Full Story
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![U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, visited College Station on Oct. 28, 2020, as part of his statewide bus tour. Cornyn was also joined by Rick Perry and Pete Sessions at this campaign stop.]()
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Five things to watch on Election Day 2020 in Texas
Texas is playing host to a series of high-stakes contests up and down the ballot, from a presidential race that could be the state’s closest in a generation to the fight for the Texas House majority. Full Story
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![A polling location in the Performing Arts Center at Texas State University in San Marcos during early voting on Oct. 19, 2020.]()
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Rural Texans have long helped Republicans. Will that hold true on Tuesday?
Republicans believe rural Texas will play a crucial role in delivering Texas for President Donald Trump on Tuesday as polls continue to show a close race in the state. Full Story
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![An early polling site at Wise County Fairgrounds in Decatur on Oct. 28, 2020.]()
Credit: Shelby Tauber for The Texas Tribune -
Collin County is the center of a political storm as the Texas suburbs become more competitive for Democrats
A Republican stronghold as recently as a few years ago, the county north of Dallas is now home to two of the most hotly contested state House races and a congressional contest about which Democrats are increasingly bullish. Full Story
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![The Republican Party of Texas office in downtown Austin.]()
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Always a battleground, never a landslide: Texas’ 23rd Congressional District stays competitive despite state’s political shifts
Even as Democrats expand their congressional offensive elsewhere in the state, the West Texas district remains a perennial battleground. Full Story
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John Cornyn embarks on final reelection sprint as late Democratic spending crests in U.S. Senate race
Cornyn expressed worry about the Democratic money coming in to support MJ Hegar but stressed on a bus tour of the state that he represents Texans' values. Full Story
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![U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, during his bus tour stop in College Station on Oct. 28, 2020.]()
Credit: Amna Ijaz/The Texas Tribune -
Kamala Harris to visit Rio Grande Valley, Fort Worth and Houston during Texas campaign swing Friday
The vice presidential nominee and U.S. senator from California will swing through the state on the final day of early voting before Tuesday's election. Full Story
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![Democratic 2020 presidential candidate and Sen. Kamala Harris speaks during a campaign event at Texas Southern University on Saturday, March 23, 2019 in Houston.]()
Credit: Pu Ying Huang for The Texas Tribune -
Polls, late campaign activity suggest Republican dominance in Texas could be at risk
With a week to go until Election Day, the race for Texas' Electoral College votes appears closer than it has been in decades. Full Story
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![Voters wait in line to at Audelia Road Branch Library on the first day of early voting in Dallas on October 13, 2020.]()
Credit: Montinique Monroe for The Texas Tribune
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