In the 2026 academic year, The Patman Center welcomed 39 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 2026
Alison Mohr Boleware
Former Director of Policy at the Hogg Foundation for Mental Health and adjunct professor at the Steve Hicks School of Social Work
Julián Castro
Former U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development and former Mayor of San Antonio
Peter Clark
Communications Director, Texans Care for Children and Adjunct Professor, LBJ School of Public Affairs
Marjorie Clifton
Published author, speaker and media commentator, appearing multiple times a week on CNN, Fox, NBC, MSNBC, PBS and global radio
Karen Finney
CNN Commentator, Former Senior Advisor for Communications and Political Outreach and Senior Spokesperson for Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign 2016
Don Huffines
Former Texas State Senator and the Republican nominee for Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts
Mike Neave
Of Counsel, Skadden's energy Regulatory Group Former Comissioner, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC)
Jon Ralston
Author and CEO of The Nevada Independent and author of "The Game Changer: How Harry Reid Remade the Rules and Showed Democrats How to Fight"
Emmy Ruiz
Former Senior Advisor to President Biden, Director of the Office of Political Strategy & Outreach
John Sharp
Former Chancellor of Texas A&M University System and former Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts
Mark Strama
Director, Annette Strauss Institute for Civic Life and former Texas State Representative (2005-2013)
Talia Stroud
Professor in the Department of Communication Studies and the School of Journalism and Media. Director, Center for Media Engagement, Moody College of Communication, The University of Texas at Austin
Trent Thurman
Assistant Dean & Director of Executive Education; Assistant Professor of Practice; Director, Executive Master's in Public Leadership
Raúl Torrez
New Mexico's 32nd Attorney General and a former senior advisor in the U.S. Department of Justice
Marcus Towns
Director of Member Services, House Committee on Appropriations, Republicans Former Director of Member Services and Coalitions, Committee on Foreign Affairs
Taryn Woody
House Armed Services Committee Republicans, Professional Staff Members/Member Services Director. Former Professional Staff Member, U.S House Foreign Affairs Committee
