The Texas legislative session begins Jan. 12, and members are heading into the Christmas holiday faced with several unknowns.
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
Coronavirus in Texas
Gov. Greg Abbott receives COVID-19 vaccine, saying he wants to serve as an example to Texans
“I will never ask a Texan to do something I’m not willing to do myself,” Abbott said moments before getting vaccinated at Ascension Seton Medical Center in Austin.
Posted in
Coronavirus in Texas
Gov. Greg Abbott to receive COVID-19 vaccine on Dec. 22
Abbott has stressed that the vaccine will not be required for Texans, and on Monday, he specifically said it will not be mandatory for the state’s school children.
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Politics
State Rep. Drew Springer trumps Shelley Luther in Texas Senate runoff
The Muenster Republican prevailed over the Dallas salon owner who made headlines for refusing to shut down during the coronavirus pandemic.
Posted in
Texas 2020 Elections
Harris County elections were fair and secure, task force finds
The Election Security Task Force for Harris County said in a report released Friday that it “found no proof of any election tampering, ballot harvesting, voter suppression, intimidation or any other type of foul play that might have impacted the legitimate cast or count of a ballot.”
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Politics
Gov. Greg Abbott campaigns hard for Drew Springer in Texas Senate runoff with Shelley Luther
Ahead of the 2021 legislative session — and the 2022 primary season — Abbott is determined to make an example out of Luther, who has become an avatar of his intraparty detractors.
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Texas 2020 Elections
El Paso Mayor Dee Margo loses reelection bid to Oscar Leeser
Margo told reporters he doubted any other mayor has had to endure the crises he has battled throughout his last term, and was hopeful the community would realize he did “the best I could to lead.”
Posted in
Health care
Hit hard by the coronavirus, El Pasoans will decide a mayoral runoff where the central focus has been handling the pandemic
Incumbent Dee Margo is considered the underdog as he fights for a second term leading the city in a Saturday runoff against his predecessor, Oscar Leeser, that has been dominated by management of the latest crisis.
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Politics
Texas politicians flock to Georgia to aid in fight for U.S. Senate majority
U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz; Texas GOP Chairman Allen West; U.S. Rep. Dan Crenshaw, R-Houston; and former presidential candidate Julián Castro have all traveled to the state — or plan to soon — to campaign in the Jan. 5 runoffs.
Posted in
Texas Legislature 2021
GOP megadonor Sheldon Adelson readies 2021 lobbying blitz to bring casinos to Texas
Adelson’s Las Vegas Sands has built a stable of high-powered lobbyists for the session, which starts in January, and the company acknowledged Tuesday that it is serious about bringing casinos to Texas.
