The Republican governor is stressing one of his biggest advantages — money — as he faces a competitive challenge for reelection.
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.
Posted in
Migrant Tragedy in San Antonio
Texas will increase checkpoints for trucks crossing from Mexico after migrant smuggling deaths
DPS said the checkpoints won’t occur at the ports of entry, which is different than in April when Abbott mandated all commercial vehicles entering from Mexico be checked by state police. The order snarled trade with Mexico at the time.
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Texas 2022 Elections
As they target South Texas, Republicans say one Democratic county isn’t maintaining campaign finance records
Starr County, one of the four counties that make up the Rio Grande Valley, has not been able to produce campaign finance reports that it is required to maintain, according to a GOP group targeting the area.
Posted in
Uvalde school shooting
After Uvalde shooting, Texas leaders will spend more than $100 million on school safety, mental health
Almost half the money is going toward bullet-resistant shields for school police officers, a move that Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick called on fellow state leaders to support.
Posted in
Migrant Tragedy in San Antonio
At least 50 people found dead in abandoned 18-wheeler in San Antonio
The authorities said the tragedy appeared to be the deadliest migrant-smuggling operation in memory. Sixteen people were taken to hospitals.
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Criminal Justice
Republican Texas House candidate in Collin County charged with impersonating public servant
Frederick Frazier’s runoff opponent accused him of posing as a city code compliance officer to get campaign signs taken down. Frazier said his opponent is to blame in the case.
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Texas Abortion Restrictions
Texas Republicans cheer end of Roe v. Wade while Democrats vow to fight back in November
Attorney General Ken Paxton declared on Twitter that he would be closing his office and “making it an annual holiday” in honor of the Supreme Court decision.
Posted in
Uvalde school shooting
Texas is unlikely to adopt key provision of bipartisan gun bill — a red flag law to take guns away from people deemed dangerous
Red flag laws likely remain a nonstarter among Republican leaders in Texas, where Gov. Greg Abbott already faced a conservative backlash after he asked the Legislature to consider them four years ago.
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Economy
Four Texas Democrats in Congress warn Biden against restricting U.S. oil exports
It is the latest example of how Texas Democrats are on edge over the administration’s approach to high gas prices.
Posted in
Texas 2022 Elections
Henry Cuellar wins Democratic primary to keep his South Texas congressional seat, recount finds
A separate recount found that Michelle Vallejo won the party’s nomination for another congressional seat.
