San Antonio Mayor Ivy Taylor and former state Sen. Leticia Van de Putte are expected to advance to a runoff in the race for the city’s top job.
Patrick Svitek
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.
Texas House Approves State Hashtag Proposals
The Texas House on Friday gave near-unanimous support to a trio of proposals to designate state-specific hashtags. They are #txlege, #Texas and #TexasToDo.
All Eyes on Runoff in San Antonio Mayoral Race
A runoff is all but guaranteed in the Saturday election for San Antonio mayor, with four major candidates and a bevy of minor ones. Most think the contest is about getting into the final round with former state Sen. Leticia Van de Putte.
Embarking on 2016 Run, Huckabee Looks to Texas
Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee is not wasting any time tending to a political network in Texas as he sets out on his second bid for the White House.
Ahead of Likely 2016 Run, Perry Reverses Position on Export-Import Bank
Former Gov. Rick Perry announced late Tuesday he no longer supports the Export-Import Bank, reversing his position on an issue that has become a litmus test for Republican presidential candidates.
Perry on Jade Helm: Military is “Quite Trustworthy”
Former Gov. Rick Perry said Tuesday citizens should trust the military amid concerns about a training exercise scheduled to begin this summer in Texas that has riled conspiracy theorists.
Abbott Defends Decision to Have State Guard Monitor Jade Helm 15
Gov. Greg Abbott defended his decision to have the Texas State Guard monitor a military training exercise known as Jade Helm 15. He said his office is simply looking to serve as a “communication facilitator” between the military and concerned citizens.
Will He or Won’t He? Judge in Perry Case Faces Recusal Questions
More than a week after a judge who once worked for Rick Perry was tapped to hear an appeal in the former governor’s indictment, it’s still unclear whether he’ll see the case through.
Abbott: Shooting in Garland Strikes at Heart of First Amendment
Texas’ top elected officials on Monday offered an absolute defense of free speech in the wake of a Garland shooting that left two gunmen dead outside a contest featuring cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad.
Lawmaker: Harris County Officials Derailed Online Voter Registration Bill
A bill to let Texans register to vote online is dead, its sponsor said Saturday, five days after a small but vocal group of Harris County officials voiced their opposition to it during a committee hearing.


