Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs

2025 Patman Center Speakers

In the 2025 academic year, The Patman Center welcomed 26 distinguished speakers from across the political spectrum. From Republican to Democratic elected officials to legislative staff and campaign professionals, our events bring real-world insights from leaders shaping politics today.

Spring 2025

Trent Ashby

State Representative (R-Lufkin)

James Barragán

Politics Reporter for The Texas Tribune

The Honorable

Dennis Bonnen

Former Speaker of The Texas House of Representatives

Mack Brown

Former Head Football Coach at the University of Texas

John Bucy

John Bucy

Representative of House District 136

Greg Casar

Congressman Greg Casar

U.S. Representative (D-Austin)

Sheryl Cole

Sheryl Cole

State Representative in House District 46

Lisa Davis

Austin Police Chief

Robert Duncan

Chief of Staff for Speaker Dustin Burrows

Former Chancellor of the Texas Tech University System

Jay Hartzell

Former President of The University of Texas at Austin

Karen Brooks Harper

Karen Brooks Haper

Texas Politics Journalist

The Honorable Nathan Hecht

Former Chief Justice of the Texas Supreme Court

Gina Hinojosa

Gina Hinojosa

State Representative (D-Austin)

The Honorable Wallace Jefferson

Former Chief Justices of the Texas Supreme Court

Brad Johnson

Brad Johnson

Senior Reporter and Managing Editor for The Texan

Nathan Johnson

Nathan Johnson

State Senator (D-Dallas)

Renard Johnson

El Paso Mayor

Daniel Lubetzky

Founder of Builders and KIND Snacks

Mayes Middleton

State Senator (R-Galveston)

Ron Nirenberg

San Antonio Mayor

Dade Phelan

State Representative and Former Speaker of the Texas House (R-Beaumont)

Chip Roy

U.S. Representative (Congressional District 21)

Karl Rove

Karl Rove

Senior Advisor to President George W. Bush and Deputy Chief of Staff

James Talarico

State Representative (HD 50)

Kirk Watson

Kirk Watson

Mayor of Austin

Gene Wu

Gene Wu

State Representative (D-Houston)