texas

Texas Lt. Gov. Patrick Won't Oppose Abbott for Governor; Announces Re-Election Bid

Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick says he's running for re-election as lieutenant governor in 2018, denouncing speculation he is planning to challenge incumbent Gov. Greg Abbott in the next election, taking a position with Trump's administration or seeking to oust Ted Cruz from his seat in the U.S. Senate.

Patrick said he felt compelled to make the announcement amid rumors of strife between him and Abbott or that he was seeking a position elsewhere.

"I have shared with you time and time again that I'm not running against my friend, my ally, my conservative partner, Greg Abbott," Patrick said.  "I'm endorsing Greg Abbott for governor for 2018. Now he hasn't made an announcement, but when he does I want to be first to endorse him. We are a great team. We work well together. We agree 96, 97 percent of the time and I can't even name the three percent we don't -- but no one's 100 percent."

With that, Patrick said he has nearly $14 million in his campaign war chest and intends to run for re-election as lieutenant governor in 2018.

"Greg Abbott, I believe, will win in 2018 and be our next governor. We are very optimistic that we will win in 2018 and we will continue to lead Texas to be the strongest, conservative, Republican-led state in the country," said Patrick.

Patrick refused to address any speculation beyond 2018 but when pressed added that he will never run against Abbott.

"I'm not running against Greg Abbott. Not in '18, not ever. If he wants to be governor for the next 20 years and I'm still running, that's the same story. What would be the point? I like what I do. I like what I do," Patrick said.

Online: DanPatrick.org

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