AUSTIN— Today, Senator Dan Patrick announced his campaign for Lieutenant Governor. After seven years of serving in the Texas Senate, Dan Patrick is poised to provide authentic conservative leadership to the state’s upper chamber.
“Recent events in the Texas Senate have confirmed the feeling that I have had for a while now,” said Senator Patrick. “We need new leadership in the Lieutenant Governor’s office that is unapologetically conservative and will get results.”
“Illegal immigration and border security may be the federal government’s responsibility, but it’s our problem,” said Senator Patrick. “This year’s budget, despite increasing overall government spending and debt, actually cut border security. I voted against it because this is Texas, not California. It’s time we have a Lieutenant Governor who understands that.”
Sen. Patrick continued: “The office of Lieutenant Governor is supposedly the most powerful in the state and a Republican has held it for over a decade, yet so little has been done to address border security, debt, and property tax relief. It’s time for new conservative leadership. I have the proven track record, passion and energy to get the job done.”
As founder and chairman of the Senate Tea Party Caucus, Senator Patrick wrote and passed the biggest business tax cut of any state during the recession, helping Texas create more jobs than the other 49 states combined.
Senator Patrick has also passed laws protecting the sanctity of life, including the sonogram bill in 2011. He placed the words “In God We Trust” in the Texas Senate and fought successfully to put “Under God” in the state pledge.
As Chairman of the Senate Education Committee, Senator Patrick has been a leader on education reforms including school choice and the expansion of quality charter schools. He also carried the Texas Flex 4×4 graduation reform bill that increases flexibility and opportunities for Texas high school students.
Senator Patrick appeared at the press conference with his wife of 38 years, Jan. The Patrick’s have two children, and one grandchild.
Dan is a small businessman who hosts a daily afternoon talk show on KSEV AM 700 in Houston and has raised over $16 million for children with disabilities through his radio station over the years. Dan has also written a best selling book, produced an award-winning movie, and plays piano and guitar in his spare time.