Michael Bloomberg gives $2.6 million to Texas Democrat running for railroad commissioner
The New York billionaire donated to Chrysta Castañeda in her bid to flip a seat on the all-GOP commission that regulates Texas' oil and gas industry. Full Story
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Patrick Svitek
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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.
Past Contributions
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![Democratic presidential candidate Mike Bloomberg speaks to supporters during a campaign event at the Buffalo Soldier Museum in Houston on Thursday, Feb. 13, 2020.]()
Credit: Casey Jackson for The Texas Tribune -
In high-stakes Texas election, Republicans hope willingness to resume door-knocking gives them edge
Republicans say they have built a major advantage by resuming door-knocking more quickly and aggressively amid the coronavirus pandemic, while Democrats say they are being the more responsible party while reaching voters in other ways. Full Story
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![Gov. Greg Abbott joins state Rep. Angie Chen Button, R-Richardson, for a block walk on Oct. 24 in Richardson.]()
Credit: Shelby Tauber for The Texas Tribune -
MJ Hegar raised nearly three times as much as John Cornyn in the first two weeks of October
Hegar also expanded her cash-on-hand advantage in the U.S. Senate race in Texas. Full Story
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![Republican U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, and challenger MJ Hegar face off in a Nexstar televised debate on Oct. 9, 2020, at the Bullock Texas State History Museum in Austin. Hegar is slightly behind the long-time senator in the latest polls late in the campaign.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich/Courtesy of Nexstar Media Group -
National Democrats are increasingly assertive about their chances in Texas this election — and they’re spending accordingly
In a move of confidence that Democratic incumbent U.S. Rep. Lizzie Pannill Fletcher will be reelected, a national PAC is redirecting ad spending from that district to a nearby open seat currently held by a Republican. Full Story
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![Democrat Lizzie Fletcher and Republican Wesley Hunt are running for Houston area’s 7th Congressional District seat.]()
Credit: Michael Stravato for The Texas Tribune and Hunt Campaign -
John Cornyn confronts late spending spree by MJ Hegar, Democratic allies in reelection campaign
Cornyn’s once-massive cash-on-hand advantage is gone, and outside Democratic groups smell blood with less than two weeks left in his re-election campaign. Full Story
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![Republican U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, and challenger MJ Hegar face off in a Nexstar televised debate on Oct. 9, 2020, at the Bullock Texas State History Museum in Austin. Hegar is slightly behind the long-time senator in the latest polls late in the campaign.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich/Courtesy of Nexstar Media Group -
In Texas House fight, Democrats bet big on health care, while Republicans emphasize police support
Candidates from both parties are bringing up everything from school funding to lemonade stands in the final weeks of a heated contest for control of the state’s lower chamber. Full Story
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![The floor of the house on April 11, 2019.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
National Democratic super PAC says it will double its spending to $12 million in battle for the Texas House
The group, Forward Majority, says it's increasing its expenditures in response to major spending from Republican-affiliated groups. Full Story
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![Democratic Party signage and logos at the Texas Democratic Party office in Austin.]()
Credit: Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribune -
Gov. Greg Abbott spends millions to help down-ballot Republicans in Texas
In what it is calling a "mid-seven-figure" effort, the governor's political campaign is working to save the Republican majority in the state House and make voters aware of judicial races. Full Story
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![Gov. Greg Abbott announces his plan to reopen the economy during the coronavirus pandemic.]()
Credit: Ricardo B. Brazziell/Pool/Austin American-Statesman -
Texas hits nearly 17 million registered voters for November election
The final number heading into the Nov. 3 election represents 1.9 million more registered voters than Texas had for the 2016 presidential contest. Full Story
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![Voters wait in line at a polling site at Bee Cave City Hall on Oct. 14, 2020.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Democrats overwhelm Republicans in latest fundraising period for Texas' hottest U.S. House races
Across 10 battleground seats that national Democrats want to flip, all but one Democrat outraised their Republican opponents. Republicans, meanwhile, kept cash-on-hand leads in most of the nine contests where they were outraised. Full Story
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![A view of the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington, D.C. on April 13, 2020.]()
Credit: Graeme Sloan/Sipa USA via REUTERS