The Texas Tribune Festival

Watkins is the breaking news editor for the Tribune. Before becoming an editor, he wrote about higher education and the business of college sports for the Tribune. Previously, Watkins covered local government as the Dallas County government reporter at The Dallas Morning News and... Read More →

Cichon has led the El Paso Housing Authority since 2008. He previously served as chief counsel for the western district of Texas with the Combined Law Enforcement Associations of Texas. Cichon was also a former senior felony prosecutor for the El Paso District Attorney’s Office... Read More →

Eckhardt has served as Travis County judge since 2015. Prior to her election, she spent eight years working as an assistant attorney for the county and was elected to the commissioners court in 2006. Eckhardt also serves on the Transportation Policy Board of the Capital Area Metropolitan... Read More →

Ellis has served as a Harris County commissioner since 2017. He previously represented Texas Senate District 13 from 1990 to 2017, where he worked on economic development, education and budget policy. Ellis also served three terms on the Houston City Council and as chief of staff... Read More →

Johnson, D-Dallas, has represented Texas’ 30th Congressional District since 1993. She is currently a ranking member of the House Committee on Science, Space & Technology and a senior member of the Transportation & Infrastructure Committee. Johnson previously served as a regional... Read More →

Saldaña has represented San Antonio Council District 4 since 2011. He currently serves as vice chairman of the Alamo Area Metropolitan Planning Organization and as chief engagement officer for KIPP San Antonio. Saldaña has worked on several education initiatives, including organizing... Read More →