This week on The Ticket: Jay Root and Ben Philpott talk religion and the 2016 race with Sarah Posner of Religion Dispatches and WPLN reporter Chas Sisk.
Ben Philpott
Ben Philpott is a senior reporter for KUT-FM, Austin’s National Public Radio affiliate. He has been covering state politics and dozens of other topics for the station since 2002, during which time he has been recognized for outstanding radio journalism by the Radio and Television News Directors Association, Public Radio News Directors Incorporated, the Houston Press Club and the Texas Associated Press Broadcasters. Before moving to Texas, he worked in public radio in Birmingham and Tuscaloosa, Ala., and at several television stations in Alabama and Tennessee. Born in New York City and raised in Chattanooga, Tennessee, Philpott graduated from the University of Alabama with a degree in broadcast journalism.
The Ticket: The GOP Debate on Immigration
This week on The Ticket: Jay Root and Ben Philpott take a look at how the debate over immigration is playing out in the Republican presidential primary, with perspective from Tea Party activist Katrina Pierson.
Video: Watch The Ticket Podcast
Check out a live video recording of The Ticket, our 2016 presidential politics podcast, with the Tribune’s Jay Root, KUT 90.5’s Ben Philpott and special guest Jennifer Rubin, writer for the Washington Post’s Right Turn blog.
The Ticket: Will Joe Biden Join the 2016 Race?
This week on The Ticket: Jay Root and Ben Philpott talk with ABC News Digital Reporter Arlette Saenz about the growing speculation that Vice President Joe Biden will join the 2016 Presidential race.
The Ticket: Ted Cruz Returns to Texas
This week on The Ticket: Jay Root and Ben Philpott discuss one of the only GOP presidential candidates who’s survived the Summer of Trump: Texas U.S. Senator Ted Cruz, and they talk to Texas activist JoAnn Fleming about Cruz’s rise to prominence on the national stage.
The Ticket: The Past, Present and Future of Campaign Finance
This week on The Ticket: The Tribune’s Jay Root and KUT’s Ben Philpott dive into the billions of dollars flowing through our campaign finance system.
The Ticket: From Caucuses to Corn Dogs – A Tour of Iowa
This week on The Ticket: Jay Root and Ben Philpott tell you everything you wanted to know about the Iowa caucuses, but were afraid to ask. That includes a look at the state’s sense of humor and a trip to the state fair.
The Ticket: Debate Prep
This week on The Ticket: Jay Root and Ben Philpott take us back in time for a review of classic presidential debate moments. And they interview GOP consultant Deirdre Delisi about what the candidates are doing to get ready for the first GOP debate.
The Ticket: John Kasich Joins the Race
This week on The Ticket: Jay Root and Ben Philpott break down the campaign announcement speech of Ohio Gov. John Kasich and talk to Harry Enten, senior writer and analyst for FiveThirtyEight.
The Ticket: Donald Trump vs. the GOP
This week on The Ticket: Jay Root and Ben Philpott break down the campaign of Donald Trump and talk to Josh Hafner, who’s reporting on the Trump campaign in Iowa for the Des Moines Register.


