GOP voter registration group shutters amid coronavirus challenges
The super PAC Engage Texas raised nearly $13 million and hired hundreds of staffers but was not able to see a path forward as the pandemic persisted. 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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![The Republican Party of Texas office in downtown Austin.]()
Credit: Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribune -
President Donald Trump to visit Dallas as he resumes in-person campaign fundraisers
The president is set to attend a high-dollar fundraiser June 11 in the North Texas city. Full Story
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![President Donald Trump smiles during a campaign rally in Dallas on Oct. 17, 2019.]()
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Texas will extend early voting period this fall, Gov. Greg Abbott says
Abbott has already added more time to the early voting period for the July runoff election, citing the need to create a safe environment for in-person voting during the coronavirus pandemic. Full Story
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![Gov. Greg Abbott announced a strike force in charge of laying steps to re-open the Texas economy at a press conference in the capitol on April 17, 2020.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Joe Biden to address Texas Democratic Party convention June 6
The presumptive presidential nominee will close out the party's virtual convention. Full Story
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![Democratic presidential candidate and former Vice President Joe Biden spoke during a campaign stop in Dallas in March.]()
Credit: Cooper Neill for The Texas Tribune -
The Castros say they’ll work to beat Donald Trump, but they haven’t made their support for Joe Biden official yet
The former presidential candidate and the U.S. representative from San Antonio, two of Texas’ most prominent Democrats, have yet to formally endorse the Democratic nominee for president. Full Story
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![Former Housing and Urban Development Secretary Julian Castro and U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro, D-Texas, in Brownsville in 2018.]()
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Influential conservative group endorses Ronny Jackson over Josh Winegarner in runoff for U.S. Rep. Mac Thornberry's seat
The two men vying to represent the Texas Panhandle in Congress have split a slew of endorsements ahead of the runoff to replace Thornberry, who is retiring. Full Story
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![President Donald Trump's nominee to be U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs, Navy Rear Adm. Ronny Jackson, meets with Sen. Jon Tester, D-Montana, at his office on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., on April 17, 2018.]()
Credit: REUTERS/Joshua Roberts -
Gov. Greg Abbott says Texas is aiming to start college football on time, with fans in stands
The state is still working out a few issues, Abbott said Friday, but he predicted the season will return as scheduled, with at least some fans allowed to attend. Full Story
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![Gov. Greg Abbott announced a strike force in charge of laying steps to re-open the Texas economy at a press conference in the capitol on April 17, 2020.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
After blowback, Texas admits 6% of its reported tests were for antibodies, not active infections
The state is now distinguishing antibody tests from standard viral tests. Full Story
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![Nurse Kristen Howell, left, and Medical Lab Tech, Amanda Hernandez, administer a COVID-19 test at the Austin Regional Clinic drive-up testing site in Kyle on March 31, 2020.]()
Credit: Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribune -
Child care centers, bars and sporting events scheduled for Texas' next phase of reopening
Child care opens immediately, bars can open Friday and sports will be allowed to return at the end of the month, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott announced Monday. Full Story
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![Gov. Greg Abbott announces his plan to reopen the economy during the coronavirus pandemic.]()
Credit: Ricardo B. Brazziell/Pool/Austin American-Statesman -
Cascade of endorsements animates Texas' Democratic U.S. Senate runoff, which coronavirus has upended
A steady stream of endorsements has been illuminating some of the battle lines between MJ Hegar and Royce West as they vie to take on U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas. Full Story
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![Sen. Royce West, D-Texas, Democratic U.S. Senate candidate MJ Hegar.]()
Credit: Texas Tribune