Susan Wright is among 11 Republicans — and 23 candidates total — vying to replace her late husband, Ron Wright, R-Arlington, in Congress. Election day for the special election is Saturday.
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
Texas Legislature 2021
As political pressure builds, Texas Senate looks for path forward on permitless carry for handguns
After the House passed a measure last week that would allow permitless carry of handguns, the Senate is feeling the heat to take up the cause.
Posted in
Congress
State Rep. Jake Ellzey faces mounting opposition from his right in special election to replace Ron Wright in Congress
A national group is spending six figures to try to stop Ellzey ahead of the May 1 election, and U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz came out against him on Tuesday.
Posted in
Texas Legislature 2021
Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick says Senate currently lacks the votes to pass permitless carry of handguns
“I plan to meet with law enforcement who oppose permitless carry and with the [National Rifle Association] and [Gun Owners of America] who support it to see if we can find a path that a majority of senators will vote to pass,” Patrick said.
Posted in
Texas Legislature 2021
After stalling for years, effort to allow permitless carrying of handguns sees major breakthrough in Texas House
Thursday’s vote in favor of the bill showed there was a bipartisan appeal for a cause long championed by conservative activists. Now all eyes are on the Senate.
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Texas Legislature 2021
Las Vegas Sands launches multimillion-dollar ad campaign to push for casinos in Texas
The TV and radio ads, which are set to start airing Thursday, make the case that Texas is forfeiting “billions” in tourism dollars to nearby states that allow casinos.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Former Texas Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst arrested on domestic violence charge
Dewhurst ran against Ted Cruz for the GOP nomination for U.S. Senate and was ousted from his No. 2 spot in Texas government by Dan Patrick.
Posted in
Coronavirus in Texas
Texas coronavirus cases haven’t surged since Gov. Greg Abbott lifted the mask order. Experts warn it’s too soon to celebrate.
Daily new cases and the positivity rate have leveled off over the past month, while deaths and hospitalization have gone down substantially.
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Health care
Rick Perry returns to the Texas Capitol to pitch study of psychedelic drugs for PTSD in veterans
The former Republican governor is throwing his weight behind a bill by state Rep. Alex Dominguez, D-Brownsville, that would order a clinical study of using psilocybin — found in “magic mushrooms” — to help veterans with mental health problems.
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Politics
Texas Land Commissioner George P. Bush “seriously considering” run for attorney general, lays out case against Ken Paxton
Bush said the state’s top law enforcement official “needs to be above reproach.”
