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Patrick Svitek is the primary political correspondent for The Texas Tribune. Patrick logged countless miles on the 2016 campaign trail, covering the many Texas angles of the momentous presidential race. He previously worked for the Houston Chronicle's Austin bureau. He graduated in 2014 from Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism. He is originally from Fort Wayne, Indiana.
A second super PAC is now supporting Rick Perry's campaign for the White House. The new group, called Opportunity and Freedom I, joins the Opportunity and Freedom PAC in an effort to boost the former governor's presidential bid. Full Story
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The Texas Democratic and Republican parties are finalizing plans to allocate all their national convention delegates on presidential primary day in 2016. For the Democrats, it's a break from tradition, and for the Republicans, it's a return to normal. Full Story
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His father's youthful misguided allegiance to Fidel Castro, the overdose death of a half-sister and blunt observations on Congress and fellow Republicans are all contained between the covers of a memoir released as Ted Cruz runs for president. Full Story
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As expectations rise for Ted Cruz's presidential bid in his home state, the Republican senator says the Texas primary is important to him — but that his campaign is already looking far beyond it. Full Story
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Ted Cruz is digging in his heels in an increasingly bitter spat with Karl Rove, a longtime adviser to Texas' most famous family in politics — a family now fielding former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush against Cruz in the 2016 presidential race. Full Story
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As he redoubles his anti-Washington crusade on the presidential campaign trail, Ted Cruz is receiving an assist from an unlikely source: the high court he used to argue before. Full Story
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U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz on Saturday said county clerks in Texas should "absolutely" be able to opt out of issuing same-sex marriage licenses if they have religious objections. Full Story
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Texas politicians on the Potomac and on the presidential trail reacted along anticipated partisan lines to Friday's U.S. Supreme Court's ruling legalizing gay marriage. Full Story
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Also, Rick Perry continues his campaign assault on Iowa airwaves, and Rand Paul is coming to Texas next month. Full Story
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State Rep. Scott Turner, the Frisco Republican who unsuccessfully ran for speaker this year, has decided not to seek re-election. Full Story
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U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz is opening a new front in his war of words against Washington, D.C., decrying a "Washington cartel" replete with corruption and cronyism. Full Story
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Gov. Greg Abbott, who took office in January as an enigma to even Capitol veterans, has ended his first session with a reputation as a thoughtful behind-the-scenes player with a less aggressive approach than his predecessor had. Full Story
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Former Gov. Rick Perry expressed support Monday for taking down the Confederate flag in South Carolina that has become a lightning rod of controversy since a deadly shooting at a church there. Full Story
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A number of elected officials from Texas are parting ways with campaign donations from the white supremacist leader of a group tied to the recent massacre at a church in South Carolina. Full Story
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Gov. Greg Abbott has issued 42 vetoes in the aftermath of the 84th legislative session. Full Story
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Former Gov. Rick Perry, who is seen as having a thin margin for error in his second bid for the White House, apparently misspoke Friday, calling a shooting massacre in South Carolina an "accident." Full Story
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Potential and declared candidates are lining up to replace Troy Fraser in Senate District 24. Full Story
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Students who skip school will no longer be sent to criminal court, facing fines and possible jail time, under legislation signed by Gov. Greg Abbott late Thursday. Truancy will be a civil offense. Full Story
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Gov. Greg Abbott is officially getting rid of the state's controversial "pick-a-pal" system, signing legislation reforming the selection of people who serve on grand juries in Texas. Full Story
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Gov. Greg Abbott vetoed four criminal justice and public safety bills, bringing to eight the total number of vetoes he has issued in the aftermath of the 84th legislative session. Full Story
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