The Fort Worth Star-Telegram is reporting that Wayne Slater, a former Dallas Morning News Austin bureau chief and senior political writer died in a car crash on Monday, December 20, 2021, near Florance, in Williamson County, north of Austin. Slater, who notably covered the Texas Governors race between Anne Richards and George W. Bush spent almost thirty years working in Austin on behalf of the Morning News.
In addition to his career in journalism, Slater also co-wrote two books about Bush adviser Karl Rove: “Bush’s Brain” and “The Architect.”
Slater died in a two-car accident that occurred at about 10:33 a.m. Monday at FM 487 and Chris Lane near Florence, where he lived with his wife Dianne.
From Wayne’s Ramsey Funeral Home obituary: “The subjects of his sometimes biting and always incisive political reporting were not always thrilled with Wayne’s expectations for truth and transparency. Those caught lying often came to regret it. That happened to a governor’s press secretary who once gave Wayne an explanation that didn’t ring true. Wayne, invoking Pinocchio, reached over and tweaked the man’s nose, saying, ‘I think it’s growing.'”
Wayne Slater was born in Lubbock, Texas, and grew up in Parkersburg, West Virginia. He graduated from West Virginia University. During his long career he worked for The Associated Press in Charleston, West Virginia; Topeka, Kansas; Peoria, Illinois; and Denver. Slater is best known and remembered for his three decades in the Dallas Morning News’ Austin bureau. His former employer reports that Slater retired in December 2014.
Slater is survived by his wife; their son Todd Slater of Round Rock and his wife, Kristina; and three grandchildren.
Further details can be found at his funeral home.