2013 Texas Tribune Festival

Root served as Austin bureau chief of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram for a dozen years and covered politics and the Legislature for The Associated Press before joining the staff of the Tribune. Root is the author of “Oops! A Diary From The 2012 Campaign Trail,” an insider’s account... Read More →

Birdwell, R-Granbury, was has represented District 22 in the Texas Senate in 2010. He serves as vice chairman of the Veteran Affairs and Military Installations Committee and sits on the Higher Education, Government Organization and Economic Development committees, as well as the... Read More →

Carusone serves as the executive director for Americans for Responsible Solutions, a nonprofit organization that advocates for solutions to prevent gun violence. Previously, she served as U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords’ chief of staff when Giffords was injured in 2011. She also served... Read More →

Patterson, who is running for lieutenant governor, has served as land commissioner since 2003. He previously represented District 11 for two terms in the Texas Senate, where he served as chairman of the Veteran Affairs Committee. Patterson is a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps.

Rodríguez, D-El Paso, has represented District 29 in the Texas Senate since 2011. In addition to serving as vice chairman of the Jurisprudence Committee, he sits on the Criminal Justice, Government Organization, and Veteran Affairs and Military Installations committees. Before his... Read More →

Villalba, R-Dallas, represents District 114 in the Texas House. He sits on the Redistricting, Environmental Regulation, and Business & Industry committees. In his first term, Villalba passed The Protection of Texas Children Act providing additional security options for Texas schools... Read More →