Dan Patrick Announces Run for Fourth Term as Lieutenant Governor of Texas
On Friday, Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick confirmed his intention to seek re-election for a fourth term in his prominent role. He made a notable announcement, highlighting his first endorsement from former President Donald Trump.
Formal Campaign Kickoff Planned
Patrick stated that a more official launch of his campaign will take place after the current legislative session. However, he wanted to publicly declare his intentions in advance.
“The campaign will begin soon enough, but with seven weeks still to go in the legislative session, my focus remains on the work to be done at the Capitol for the people of Texas,” he articulated in a formal statement.
Advocating a Conservative Agenda
As the presiding officer of the Texas Senate, Patrick has utilized his platform to push forward a conservative legislative agenda. His key priorities have included:
- Enhancing border security
- Expanding religious influence in educational settings
- Implementing property tax reductions
Political Background
The 75-year-old Patrick, a former radio host, previously served two terms as a state senator representing Harris County. He first ascended to the position of lieutenant governor after defeating three-term incumbent David Dewhurst in 2014.
Endorsement from Donald Trump
Trump praised Patrick for his role as the Texas Chair during his presidential campaigns since 2016. In a post on the Truth Social platform, he stated, “In his next term, Dan will fight tirelessly alongside of us to secure the border, stop migrant crime, grow the economy, cut taxes and regulations, champion school choice, support our great military/vets, restore American energy dominance, and strongly protect our always under siege Second Amendment.”
Public Approval Ratings
A recent poll by the University of Texas at Austin’s Texas Polling Project conducted in February revealed that Patrick maintains a strong approval rating among conservatives, with 33% of 1,200 registered voters expressing strong approval of his performance. An additional 34% reported somewhat approving. When considering all ideological groups, 37% indicated approval of Patrick’s job performance.
Minimal Opposition Expected
Experts suggest Patrick is unlikely to encounter significant opposition in his re-election bid. Joshua Blank, Research Director for the Texas Polling Project, affirmed this notion. Republican consultant Tyler Norris echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing Patrick’s political influence and effectiveness in shaping the Texas Senate’s operations.
Norris noted, “The degree to which he can accomplish his agenda changed the shape of the Senate and Texas politics. By the end of next term, he will definitely be the most powerful lieutenant governor in Texas history, if he’s not already.”
Historical Significance
As one of the longest-serving lieutenant governors in Texas history, Patrick ranks alongside Ben Ramsey as the third longest. If re-elected, he will become the second-longest-serving individual in this role by the end of another four-year term.
For more information on Texas politics, visit The Texas Tribune.
