Patrick Svitek, Texas Tribune

Patrick Svitek is a reporter for the Texas Tribune. He previously worked for the Houston Chronicle's Austin bureau. He graduated in 2014 from Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism. He originally is from Fort Wayne, Indiana.

House Speaker Bonnen Launches PAC To Keep House GOP Majority In 2020

By , , & • Jul 16, 2019

Republican Texas House Speaker Dennis Bonnen has launched a political action committee to help defend the GOP majority as Democrats push to take the lower chamber in 2020.

Castro Raises $2.8 Million In Second Quarter

By & • Jul 15, 2019
Callie Richmond / The Texas Tribune

Nearly 40% of the haul came in the days after Castro's well-reviewed performance at the Miami debate, according to his campaign.

From The Texas Tribune:

Democratic presidential candidate Julián Castro raised $2.8 million in the second quarter, according to his campaign.

‘It Was A Setup’: Texas House Speaker, Gun Rights Activist Come Face-To-Face At Texas GOP Fundraiser

By & • Apr 11, 2019

A Texas GOP fundraiser Tuesday brought state House Speaker Dennis Bonnen face-to-face with the gun rights activist whom state troopers recently intercepted at Bonnen’s home, the latest chapter in sharp tensions between the two.


Beto O'Rourke Turbocharges 2020 Buzz With Response To Trump Rally In El Paso

By & • Feb 13, 2019
Ivan Pierre Aguirre / The Texas Tribune

The former Democratic congressman and U.S. Senate candidate avoided talking about 2020 on Monday — but it was virtually unavoidable as he starred in a split-screen night with President Donald Trump.

From The Texas Tribune:

EL PASO — Beto O'Rourke didn't utter a word about 2020 here Monday night, but he didn't have to.

Greg Abbott, Dan Patrick And Dennis Bonnen Promise Unity In 2019 Legislative Session

By & • Jan 13, 2019
Miguel Gutierrez, Jr. / The Texas Tribune

Texas' top three leaders are eager to show they're on the same page as the 86th legislative session begins.

From The Texas Tribune:

Texas' top three elected leaders are looking to show a united front as the 2019 legislative session begins — and start fresh after the drama of last session.

The Week After Election Day, Some Texas Races Remain In Limbo

By & • Nov 19, 2018


Election Day was more than a week ago. But a handful of Texas candidates who lost by roughly 1,000 votes or less have yet to concede — or are already calling for recounts in their own races.

Senate Race Tops $100 Million With Latest Filings From Ted Cruz And Beto O'Rourke

By & • Oct 29, 2018

More than $100 million has now been raised for the U.S. Senate race in Texas.

At Houston Rally, Donald Trump Mocks Beto O'Rourke And Praises Ted Cruz As Key Ally

By , , & • Oct 23, 2018

HOUSTON — President Donald Trump, speaking Monday evening here at an uproarious rally, cast his 2016 battle with U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz as a thing of the past and blasted Cruz’s Democratic challenger, Beto O’Rourke, as a “stone cold phony.”

Beto O’Rourke Swings Harder At Ted Cruz In Second Debate

By & • Oct 17, 2018

SAN ANTONIO — In the lead-up to the U.S. Senate debate here Tuesday night, Democratic candidate Beto O'Rourke heard from supporters who wanted him to take a more aggressive stance toward Republican incumbent Ted Cruz.

It appears O'Rourke listened.

Beto O’Rourke Raised $38 Million In The Third Quarter — About Three Times Ted Cruz’s Haul

By & • Oct 14, 2018

U.S. Rep. Beto O'Rourke, D-El Paso, raised $38.1 million for his U.S. Senate campaign in the third quarter, a new record for the largest fundraising quarter ever in a U.S. Senate race, according to his campaign.