Patterson wants to move up political ladder

AUSTIN, TX The announcement came a day after current Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst moved closer to running for the Senate in 2012, a seat being vacated by longtime U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison. Patterson wouldn't be able to run for the powerful lieutenant governor post until 2014, but he said Friday he wanted a new way to put his "experience and passion to work for the people of Texas."

Patterson, a former state senator from the Houston area, said he wanted to publicly announce his interest in a race that is sure to draw lots of contenders.