Kelcy Warren, the Dallas pipeline tycoon and top donor to Gov. Greg Abbott, is suing O’Rourke over his criticism of the windfall profits that Warren’s company made after the 2021 winter storm.
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.
Republicans more than doubled turnout in the Rio Grande Valley compared with the last midterm primary
Democrats in the region still had higher turnout, but Republicans celebrated the narrowing of the gap. Despite the improvement, nearly 87% of registered voters in the Rio Grande Valley did not vote in the primary, similar to the rate in 2018.
Texas far-right conservatives spent millions to oust House GOP leaders, to little avail
In the Texas House, the biggest intraparty attack on Republican leadership came from the Defend Texas Liberty PAC, led by former state Rep. Jonathan Stickland, R-Bedford. Backed by hard-right donors like Tim Dunn and Farris Wilks, West Texas oil tycoons, the group spent at least $5.2 million from January onward.
George P. Bush, Ken Paxton prepare for a bitter primary runoff battle for Texas attorney general
Bush is the underdog in the race. He had fewer votes than Paxton in the primary, and Paxton carries the coveted endorsement from former President Donald Trump. But the incumbent is still battling his felony indictment and a newer FBI investigation.
U.S. Rep. Van Taylor ends reelection campaign after he admits to affair
Taylor made the stunning announcement hours after he finished his five-way primary with 49% of the vote. Former Collin County Judge Keith Self, who finished second, is now likely to become the next congressman for the 3rd District.
U.S. Rep. Van Taylor faces runoff election with candidate attacking his Jan. 6 commission vote
Taylor’s race was one of several congressional primaries Tuesday night in Texas that put on display spirited debates inside each party.
Greg Abbott, Beto O’Rourke easily win gubernatorial primaries, setting up November race
Decision Desk HQ called both Abbott’s and O’Rourke’s primary wins shortly after 8 p.m.
Here are five questions the Texas primary will answer
Voters are heading to the polls Tuesday with a lot of decisions to make about who will represent their parties going forward into November.
As Republicans try to flip open seat in South Texas, Democrats debate how to win over voters
South Texas Democrats are facing an identity crisis and trying to distance themselves from out-of-state progressives after the party underperformed in the region in 2020.
Watch: National progressives target Texas in contentious Democratic primary races
National progressive groups and their allies in Congress are looking to the Texas primary to send a new class of stars to Congress.


