Career Timeline of Dan Patrick (politician): Major Achievements and Milestones

Discover the career path of Dan Patrick (politician), from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Dan Patrick (born Dan Goeb Patrick) is an American radio talk show host, television broadcaster, and politician currently serving as the 42nd Lieutenant Governor of Texas since 2015. He previously worked in media before transitioning to politics and assuming his current role under Governor Greg Abbott. As Lieutenant Governor, he holds significant power in the Texas Senate, influencing legislation and the state's political direction. His policies and public statements often reflect conservative viewpoints.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Controversies & Scandals

1968: First Radio Job

In 1968, Dan Patrick started his first radio job at the age of 18.

1977: Became a Television Broadcaster

In 1977, Dan Patrick became a television broadcaster at WNEP-TV in Scranton, Pennsylvania.

November 1983: Opened Dan and Nick's Sportsmarket

In November 1983, Dan Patrick and several investors opened Dan and Nick's Sportsmarket, one of the first sports bars in the U.S.

1983: Gained popularity as broadcaster

By 1983, Dan Patrick was the second most popular TV personality in Houston, known for stunts and public speaking, though some surveys also showed that he was one of the most disliked.

1984: Left KHOU-TV

In 1984, Dan Patrick left his job at KHOU-TV after failing to reach an agreement with Belo Corporation for a long-term contract.

1987: Bought Time Slot at KSEV

In the summer of 1987, Dan Patrick bought a four-hour timeslot at AM 700 KSEV to host a sports radio show.

1988: Took Over Radio Station and Switched to Politics

In 1988, Dan Patrick took over the radio station KSEV and transitioned from sports radio to a conservative talk show.

1989: Signed Rush Limbaugh for syndication

In 1989, Dan Patrick, as owner of a talk radio station, signed Rush Limbaugh for airing on KSEV via radio syndication.

1996: Closest Result Since 1996

In 1996, result was closest since then.

2001: Anchored The Patrick Report

In 2001, Dan Patrick anchored The Patrick Report, a half-hour news program on Houston television station KTBU.

2004: Considered running for US House of Representatives

In 2004, Dan Patrick first considered running for the United States House of Representatives.

2005: Amendment to the Texas Constitution

In 2005, an amendment to the Texas Constitution limits marriage to heterosexual relationships and prohibits similar, alternative legal arrangements.

February 2006: Owned one radio station

By February 2006, Dan Patrick already owned one radio station.

2006: Elected to Texas State Senate

In 2006, Dan Patrick was first elected to Texas State Senate's seventh district.

January 9, 2007: Began Term in Texas State Senate

On January 9, 2007, Dan Patrick's term in the Texas State Senate began with the convening of the Eightieth Texas Legislature.

2007: Elected to Texas Senate

In 2007, Dan Patrick became a Republican member of the Texas Senate for the 7th District.

November 2008: Began Work on "The Heart of Texas" movie

In November 2008, Dan Patrick began work to produce The Heart of Texas, a movie based on a real-life story of two families in Simonton.

2010: Re-elected to Texas State Senate

In 2010, Dan Patrick was reelected to Texas State Senate, and he endorsed Rick Perry for re-election.

February 2011: Patrick Advocates for Cutting Non-Teaching Positions

In February 2011, as vice chairman of the Texas senate's Committee on Education, Patrick spoke in favor of cutting non-teaching positions from Texas public school districts, such as math department supervisors and curriculum experts.

May 2011: Texas "Mandatory Ultrasound Bill" Signed into Law

In May 2011, Governor Perry signed into law the Texas "Mandatory Ultrasound Bill", authored by Dan Patrick. This bill requires women seeking an abortion to have a sonogram of the fetus taken at least twenty-four hours before the abortion is performed. Patrick estimated the bill might stop more than 15,000 abortions annually.

January 10, 2012: Fifth Circuit Court Rules in Favor of Patrick's Ultrasound Bill

On January 10, 2012, the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit ruled in Texas' favor, allowing Patrick's Mandatory Ultrasound Bill to take effect, reversing an earlier injunction.

October 2012: School District Extends Benefits to Same-Sex Partners

In October 2012, an Austin-area public school district joined other Texas cities and counties in extending benefits to their unmarried employees' heterosexual or homosexual partners.

November 2012: Patrick Requests Opinion on Domestic Partner Benefits

In November 2012, Patrick asked then-Texas attorney general Greg Abbott's office to issue an opinion on the constitutionality of government entities providing domestic partner insurance benefits.

2012: Endorsed Dewhurst bid for US Senate

In 2012, Dan Patrick enthusiastically endorsed David Dewhurst in his failed bid for the U.S. Senate, prior to challenging him for lieutenant governor in 2014.

June 26, 2013: Announced challenge to David Dewhurst

On June 26, 2013, Dan Patrick announced he would challenge incumbent David Dewhurst in the Republican primary for lieutenant governor in 2014.

2013: Majority owner of two radio stations

By 2013, Dan Patrick was the majority owner of two radio stations, in Houston and Dallas radio markets.

January 2014: Patrick on Abortion Exceptions

In January 2014, when asked about exceptions to outlawing abortion, Patrick stated that the only exception he would consider is if the life of the mother was truly in danger, but noted that such cases are rare.

May 27, 2014: Defeated Dewhurst in Primary Runoff

On May 27, 2014, Dan Patrick defeated incumbent David Dewhurst in the primary runoff for lieutenant governor.

November 4, 2014: Won General Election for Lieutenant Governor

On November 4, 2014, Dan Patrick won the general election against Leticia Van de Putte to become the lieutenant governor-elect of Texas.

2014: Patrick to challenge Dewhurst in 2014

In 2014, Dan Patrick announced he would challenge incumbent David Dewhurst in the Republican primary for lieutenant governor.

2014: Patrick Opposes Same-Sex Marriage

In 2014, after a federal court ruled Texas' ban on same-sex marriage unconstitutional, Patrick expressed opposition and vowed to fight such decisions if elected Lt. Governor, arguing that removing the ban could lead to the legalization of bigamy, pedophilia, and incest.

2014: Patrick Advocates for Continued Border Security

In 2014, as Lieutenant Governor, Patrick moved to keep National Guard troops sent to the Texas-Mexico border during the illegal immigration surge indefinitely.

2014: Patrick on Illegal Immigration

In 2014, questions arose during Dan Patrick's lieutenant governor's race about the immigration status of one of his employees, Miguel "Mike" Andrade. This was raised by opponent Jerry Patterson, who questioned Patrick's commitment to halting illegal immigration.

January 2015: Became Lieutenant Governor

In January 2015, Dan Patrick assumed the role of the 42nd Lieutenant Governor of Texas, serving under Governor Greg Abbott.

January 20, 2015: Sworn in as Lieutenant Governor

On January 20, 2015, Dan Patrick was sworn in as Lieutenant Governor of Texas.

March 2015: Patrick's Budget Focuses on Border Security

In March 2015, Patrick's budget in the Texas Senate called for spending $815 million on border security, which he claimed was more than the previous seven years combined.

2015: End of Texas Senate Term

In 2015, Dan Patrick's service as a Republican member of the Texas Senate for the 7th District concluded.

2015: Ryan Patrick Swears His Father into Office

In 2015, Ryan Patrick, Dan Patrick's son, swore his father into office as the lieutenant governor.

May 2016: Patrick Criticizes Obama Administration on Transgender Bathroom Directive

In May 2016, Patrick criticized the Obama administration's directive for public schools to allow transgender students to use bathrooms corresponding with their identified gender, stating he would not yield to "blackmail" from the president.

2016: Patrick Endorses Trump

In 2016, after Donald Trump became the Republican nominee, Patrick endorsed him and became the Texas state chairman for his campaign.

2016: Patrick Tweets Bible Verse After Orlando Shooting

In 2016, hours after the Orlando nightclub shooting, Patrick tweeted a Bible verse, "Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Galatians 6:7." The tweet was later deleted and claimed to be pre-scheduled.

January 5, 2017: Patrick Pushes for Bathroom Bill

On January 5, 2017, Patrick strongly pushed for a bathroom bill that would prohibit transgender students at public schools from using any restroom other than that of their biological sex.

January 9, 2017: Announced Re-election Bid

On January 9, 2017, Dan Patrick announced he would run for re-election in 2018 to dispel rumors of challenging Governor Abbott or Senator Cruz.

May 21, 2017: Governor signed bill into law

On May 21, 2017, Governor Abbott signed into law legislation championed by Patrick prohibiting state or local governments from issuing subpoenas on pastors' sermons.

July 2017: Ryan Patrick Chosen as U.S. Attorney

In July 2017, Ryan Patrick was chosen to be U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Texas by U.S. President Donald Trump.

January 2018: Patrick Praises Trump

In January 2018, Patrick stated that he considered Presidents Trump and Ronald Reagan as the two greatest presidents in his lifetime.

March 6, 2018: Won Republican Primary

On March 6, 2018, Dan Patrick won the Republican primary for lieutenant governor, defeating Scott Milder.

June 2018: Patrick Estimates Illegal Immigrant Population

In a June 2018 interview, Patrick estimated that 30 million illegal immigrants lived in the U.S.

2018: Endorsements and Campaign Assistance

In 2018, Dan Patrick endorsed and assisted Republican primary candidates in the Texas Senate, with his favored candidates winning nearly all the races where Patrick made intraparty endorsements.

2018: Re-elected as Lieutenant Governor

In 2018, Dan Patrick was re-elected as Lieutenant Governor, defeating Democratic nominee Mike Collier.

April 2019: Patrick Uses Slur Against Beto O'Rourke

In April 2019, Patrick called Democratic presidential candidate Beto O'Rourke "light in the loafers", a slur often used to insinuate someone as gay, and also called O'Rourke a "moron." He later stated the insinuation was unintentional.

October 17, 2019: Patrick Calls Liberals "Our Enemy"

On October 17, 2019, at a political rally for President Trump, Patrick told a crowd that liberals "are not our opponents, they are our enemy."

2019: Patrick Blames Video Games for El Paso Shooting

After the 2019 El Paso shooting, Patrick listed factors he believed contributed to the shooting, starting with video games.

2019: Patrick Pushes for Teacher Pay Raise

In 2019, Dan Patrick advocated for increasing Texas teachers' paychecks by $5,000.

2019: Patrick on Gun Control

In 2019, Patrick initially called for requiring background checks for gun sales between strangers but later supported legislation to expand gun rights, including constitutional carry.

2019: Patrick Opposes Cannabis Decriminalization

In 2019, Patrick opposed a bill that would have decriminalized simple possession of cannabis in Texas, announcing it was dead on arrival in the Senate after the House passed it.

March 23, 2020: Patrick on COVID-19 and Economic Shutdown

On March 23, 2020, in an interview with Tucker Carlson, Patrick stated that he was willing to risk his life from the COVID-19 pandemic if it would avoid an economic shutdown.

April 7, 2020: Patrick Announces Task Force to Re-Open Texas Economy

On April 7, 2020, Patrick announced the creation of a task force to make recommendations on how to re-open Texas's economy.

May 2020: Patrick Pays Fine for Dallas Businesswoman

In May 2020, Patrick paid a $7,000 fine imposed on a Dallas businesswoman after she defied Texas's lockdown orders.

2020: Patrick Claims Vote-by-Mail Expansion is a "Scam"

In 2020, Patrick referred to vote-by-mail expansion efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic as a "scam by Democrats to steal the election."

2020: Patrick Backs Trump's Claims of Election Fraud

In 2020, after Joe Biden won the election and Trump made false claims of fraud, Patrick backed Trump and offered up to $1 million for reports of voter fraud.

October 2021: Patrick Pays Reward for Voter Fraud Report

In October 2021, Patrick paid the first reward of $25,000 to a Pennsylvania poll worker who reported a man that voted twice.

2021: Legislative Priorities

In 2021, Dan Patrick prioritized legislation requiring the U.S. national anthem at state-funded events and protecting "election integrity" in Texas.

2021: Patrick Oversees Passage of Voting Restrictions

In 2021, Patrick presided over the passage of legislation in the Texas Senate that restricted voting rights, including prohibiting local boards from sending applications for mail-in ballots to voters.

2021: Patrick Supports Limiting Civil Rights Readings in Schools

In 2021, Patrick supported legislation to prevent public schools from requiring students to read writings by civil rights figures like Susan B. Anthony, Cesar Chavez, and Martin Luther King Jr. when covering women’s suffrage and the civil rights movement.

2021: Patrick Expresses Openness to Medical Cannabis Changes

In 2021, during an interview, Patrick expressed that he was open to some medical cannabis changes, while downplaying the more ambitious efforts.

2022: Influence in Republican Politics

During his tenure as lieutenant governor, particularly in 2022, Dan Patrick became influential in Texas Republican politics, endorsing candidates and influencing Donald Trump's endorsements.

2022: Re-elected as Lieutenant Governor

In 2022, Dan Patrick defeated Mike Collier in the general election to be re-elected as Lieutenant Governor of Texas.

2022: Patrick Pledges to End Tenure and Revoke Tenure for CRT Teaching

In 2022, Dan Patrick pledged to end tenure for new hires at Texas public universities and intended to revoke tenure for faculty who teach critical race theory.

2022: Patrick's Campaign Sends Inaccurate Absentee Ballot Instructions

In 2022, Patrick's campaign sent out a mass mailing to Republican voters across Texas with inaccurate instructions on how to send requests for absentee ballots.

January 25, 2023: Announced Reelection Plans

On January 25, 2023, Dan Patrick announced his intention to run for reelection in 2026.

June 21, 2024: Patrick to Seek Passage of Ten Commandments Bill

On June 21, 2024, Patrick stated that he would seek to pass a bill similar to Louisiana's House Bill 71 requiring the Ten Commandments in schools in the next legislative session.