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Ross Ramsey

Ross Ramsey’s staff photo

Ross Ramsey co-founded The Texas Tribune in 2009 and served as its executive editor until his retirement in 2022. He wrote regular columns on politics, government and public policy. Before joining the Tribune, he was editor and co-owner of Texas Weekly. He did a 28-month stint in government with the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts. Before that, he reported for the Houston Chronicle, the Dallas Times Herald, as a Dallas-based freelancer for regional and national magazines and newspapers, and for radio stations in Denton and Dallas.

Latest Contributions

  • Final Preparations

    By Ross Ramsey

    If you're checking off the boxes for gubernatorial candidates, Thursday belonged to Gov. Rick Perry, who filed for reelection before noon on the first day he was allowed to do so. Full Story 

  • TribWeek: In Case You Missed It

    By Ross Ramsey

    It was a political week, with a full-court press from our staff on Bill White's switch to the governor's race and all of the fallout; the moves during the first week of filing for political races; Philpott's look at Republicans challenging Republicans; Hu's latest in the popular Stump Interrupted series; Ramshaw on emergency rooms, family doctors, and child protection; Stiles and Grissom mapping payday lending locations juxtaposed with family income data; Rapoport on the state budget and education; Thevenot on KBH's plans for schools; and Hamilton on the power (or not) of political endorsements. The best of the best from November 28 to December 4, 2009. Full Story 

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  • 2010: Kinky Moves?

    By Ross Ramsey

    Texas Democrats aren't through with the changes on the statewide ticket. Take a look at this teaser from gubernatorial candidate Kinky Friedman, issued after Hank Gilbert exited the governor's race, set his heart on being agriculture commissioner, and endorsed Farouk Shami. Full Story 

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    Credit: Bob Daemmrich

  • 2010: Gilbert Switches to Ag, Endorses Shami

    By Ross Ramsey

    Hank Gilbert got out of the race for the Democratic nomination for governor, saying there are "two credible candidates" in the race. And he said he'll be a candidate for agriculture commissioner — the office he tried unsuccessfully to win in 2006. And then came the real surprise: Gilbert said he is endorsing Farouk Shami for the Democratic nomination. Full Story 

    Hank Gilbert in Austin
    Credit: Ben Philpott

  • And They're Off!

    By Ross Ramsey

    It's time to harvest the political speculations of the last several months: Democrats and Republicans have until January 4 to put their names on the ballots, or not, in anticipation of the March 2 primaries. Full Story 

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  • 2010: Ogden Will Seek Another Term

    By Ross Ramsey

    State Sen. Steve Ogden, who said earlier this year he would leave the Legislature after his current term, will seek another two years in office after all. And he may have drawn the first primary opponent of his political career. Full Story 

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    Credit: Bob Daemmrich

  • "East Texas is Really Not Obama Land."

    By Ross Ramsey

    Two weeks after switching parties, Rep. Chuck Hopson still thinks he did the right thing, given the politics of his district. "McCain, in my four counties here, got 72 to 74 percent," he says. "I think if the election were held today, that would be something like 80 percent." Full Story 

    Photo of Chuck Hopson
    Credit: chuckhopson.com