What's next for Dan Patrick?
HOUSTON (KTRK) -- State Senator Dan Patrick says he's taking a new approach to campaign for what many consider the most powerful position in state government.
"We're going to go into Democrat strongholds," the State Senator from Houston told his supporters after trouncing three term Lt. Governor David Dewhurst in the Republican primary runoff election Tuesday night. "Some Democrats have said they want me to be the nominee. Well, they've got me and I'm coming."
Patrick was not specific about which strongholds he'll target, though one could imagine they'd include population centers along the Texas border. Patrick has made "securing the border" the top issue during his primary campaign against Dewhurst, accusing the fellow Houstonian of being soft on illegal immigration. It's a position that could pose a problem for Patrick in the Rio Grande Valley and across the state's border communities and may explain his desire to reach out to the Hispanic community during the general election. Patrick told supporters Tuesday night that he has the right message.
"Secure the border, lower your property taxes, and we're gonna get that done," said Patrick. "The people of Texas have given us a mandate tonight to get property taxes lowered. My voice is not going to the office of Lt. Governor come November when we beat the Democrats. The people's voice is going to the office of the Lt. Governor."
For its part, the Texas Democratic Party issued a statement an hour after the polls closed on Tuesday and wasted no time in trying to frame Patrick as wrong for the state:
Eyewitness News Reporter Ted Oberg asked Patrick about the statement. See his reaction here.
Leticia Van de Putte is the Democratic nominee for Lt. Governor. She joins gubernatorial candidate Wendy Davis and U.S. Senate candidate David Alameel, both from the Dallas area, atop the Democrats' November ballot.
A pharmacist in San Antonio, Van de Putte served in the Texas legislature since 1991. She was also a co-chair of the 2008 Democratic National Convention in Denver.
She lists education as a top issue among her campaign priorities.
On her Facebook page she echoed the state party, offering her thoughts about facing Patrick:
"While he's spent the last six months slinging mud in the Republican primary, I've been listening to voters all across this beautiful state," Van De Putte wrote. "And you know what? I'm ready to take him on."
Her campaign also issued the following statement:
Despite her credentials, name recognition, and ties to the national party, Van de Putte faces a tough battle in a state whose current slate of statewide office holders is all Republican. And Patrick has raised money like an incumbent. He also has the backing of his former rival Dewhurst, who has vowed his support and help through the coming months.
