The legislation — which required voter approval — would have brought a monumental expansion of gambling to Texas, which has some of the most restrictive gaming laws in the country.
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
Politics
Gov. Greg Abbott says he’ll use crowdfunding for his plan to build a border wall
Abbott made national headlines with his announcement Thursday in Del Rio that Texas would build its own wall at the Mexico border, though he provided no further details and said he would lay out the plan this week.
Posted in
Texas 2022 Elections
Eva Guzman, former Texas Supreme Court justice, joins GOP primary challenge against Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton
Guzman’s candidacy adds a new dynamic to the primary that is already unfolding between incumbent Paxton and Land Commissioner George P. Bush.
Posted in
Texas 2022 Elections
State Rep. James White, an East Texas Republican, won’t seek another term in Texas House
White, chairman of the House Homeland Security and Public Safety Committee, has served in the lower chamber since 2011.
Posted in
Operation Lone Star
In a period of conflicts and crises, Gov. Greg Abbott goes all in on the border
The governor’s announcement Thursday that Texas would build its own border wall was Abbott’s boldest move yet in an intensifying focus on the region.
Posted in
Politics
Kamala Harris to host White House meeting with Texas Democrats who blocked voting bill
The meeting will take place Wednesday, according to Harris’ office.
Posted in
Texas 2022 Elections
Fort Worth Mayor Betsy Price announces run for Tarrant County judge
One of the last remaining Republican mayors of a big city is jumping back into the political arena after not seeking reelection.
Posted in
Politics
After 2020 disappointments, Democrats look to prioritize year-round organizing
Two former congressional candidates, Julie Oliver and Mike Siegel, are hoping to help Democrats learn the lessons of 2020 with a new group called Ground Game Texas.
Posted in
Texas 2022 Elections
Republican state Sen. Dawn Buckingham running for Texas land commissioner
The news of her decision comes two days after the current land commissioner, George P. Bush, announced he was running for attorney general next year, challenging fellow Republican Ken Paxton.
Posted in
Politics
Mattie Parker declares victory in Fort Worth mayoral runoff
Parker, the former chief of staff to retiring Mayor Betsy Price, declared victory in the runoff against Deborah Peoples, who recently stepped down as chair of the Tarrant County Democratic Party.
