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. He currently serves as the 42nd Lieutenant Governor of Texas, a position he has held since 2015, working alongside Governor Greg Abbott. Before entering politics, Patrick had a career in media, hosting radio shows and working in television broadcasting. His political career is marked by his conservative stances on various issues, making him a prominent figure in Texas politics.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Controversies & Scandals

1977: Television Broadcasting Career Begins

In 1977, after college, Dan Patrick became a television broadcaster at WNEP-TV in Scranton, Pennsylvania, marking a step in his broadcasting career.

November 1983: Opens Dan and Nick's Sportsmarket

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

1983: Gained Popularity as TV Personality

By 1983, Dan Patrick had become the second most popular TV personality in Houston, known for stunts and public speaking skills, though he was also among the most disliked.

1984: Leaves KHOU After Failed Contract Agreement

Dan Patrick left his job at KHOU in 1984 after not reaching a long-term contract agreement with Belo Corporation, which bought KHOU-TV in the same year.

1987: Buys Time Slot at AM 700 KSEV

In the summer of 1987, following bankruptcy, Dan Patrick began his reinvention as a conservative talk radio host by buying a four-hour timeslot at AM 700 KSEV, then called KTBT.

1988: Took Over Radio Station

In 1988, Dan Patrick took over the radio station KSEV and switched to politics shortly afterward, hosting a conservative talk show.

1989: Rush Limbaugh Signed to KSEV

In 1989, Dan Patrick, as the owner of KSEV, signed Rush Limbaugh for airing on KSEV via radio syndication, which helped increase the station's ratings.

2002: Father's Death

In 2002, Charles Anthony Goeb, Dan Patrick's father, passed away after working at The Baltimore Sun for thirty-one years.

January 9, 2007: Term Began in Texas State Senate

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

February 2011: Advocating for Cuts in Public School Positions

In February 2011, Dan Patrick, then vice chairman of the Texas senate's Committee on Education, advocated for cutting non-teaching positions from Texas public school districts, citing positions such as "math department supervisors" or "curriculum experts".

May 2011: Passage of Mandatory Ultrasound Bill

In May 2011, Governor Perry signed into law Texas' "Mandatory Ultrasound Bill", authored by Dan Patrick. The bill requires women seeking an abortion to have a sonogram of the fetus taken at least twenty-four hours before the abortion is performed.

January 10, 2012: Fifth Circuit Court Ruling on Ultrasound Bill

On January 10, 2012, the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit ruled in Texas' favor in the case of Zurawski v. State of Texas, allowing Patrick's Mandatory Ultrasound Bill to take effect after it was initially halted by an injunction.

November 2012: Request for Opinion on Domestic Partner Benefits

In November 2012, Dan Patrick requested the Texas attorney general's office to issue an opinion on the constitutionality of government entities providing domestic partner insurance benefits, following decisions by Dallas County and an Austin-area public school district to extend such benefits.

January 2014: Statement on Abortion Exceptions

In January 2014, Dan Patrick stated that the only exception to outlawing abortion would be if the life of the mother was truly in danger, noting that such cases are rare.

2014: Opposition to Same-Sex Marriage

In 2014, after a federal court ruled Texas' ban on same-sex marriage unconstitutional, Dan Patrick expressed his opposition to same-sex marriage, vowing to fight such court decisions if elected Lt. Governor, and argued that its removal would lead to legalizing bigamy, pedophilia, and incest.

2014: Deployment of National Guard to Texas-Mexico Border

In 2014, as Lieutenant Governor, Dan Patrick moved to keep National Guard troops at the Texas-Mexico border due to an illegal immigration surge.

2014: Controversy Surrounding Employee's Immigration Status

In 2014, during his campaign for lieutenant governor, questions arose about the immigration status of one of Dan Patrick's employees, Miguel "Mike" Andrade, leading to conflicting recollections about Andrade's employment. This matter was raised by opponent Jerry Patterson, who questioned Patrick's commitment to halt illegal immigration.

January 20, 2015: Sworn in as Lieutenant Governor

On January 20, 2015, Dan Patrick was sworn in as the lieutenant governor of Texas and the Texas Senate voted to drop the threshold needed to consider a bill from two-thirds to three-fifths.

March 2015: Extension of National Guard Deployment

In March 2015, Dan Patrick extended the deployment of National Guard troops to the Texas-Mexico border indefinitely, rather than ending it as originally planned.

2015: Sworn in as lieutenant governor

In 2015, Dan Patrick was sworn into office as the lieutenant governor by his son, Ryan Patrick.

May 2016: Criticism of Obama Administration's Transgender Directive

In May 2016, Dan 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 and risk federal funding.

2016: Endorsement of Donald Trump

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

January 5, 2017: Push for Bathroom Bill

On January 5, 2017, Dan Patrick strongly pushed for a bathroom bill similar to North Carolina's law at its proposal, encouraging state Senator Lois Kolkhorst to introduce it.

January 9, 2017: Announced Re-election Run

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

May 21, 2017: Bill Signed into Law

On May 21, 2017, a bill prohibiting state or local governments from issuing subpoenas on pastors' sermons, a legislative priority for Dan Patrick, was signed into law by Governor Abbott.

July 2017: Son Chosen as U.S. Attorney

In July 2017, Ryan Patrick, Dan Patrick's son, was chosen to be U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Texas by U.S. President Donald Trump, and the United States Senate subsequently confirmed him.

January 2018: Comparison of Trump to Reagan

In January 2018, Dan 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, defeating Scott Milder.

June 2018: Estimate of Illegal Immigrants in the U.S.

In a June 2018 interview on Fox Business Network, Dan Patrick estimated that there were 30 million illegal immigrants living in the U.S.

October 17, 2019: Remarks at Trump Rally

On October 17, 2019, Dan Patrick spoke at a political rally for President Trump, telling a crowd of 20,000 that liberals are the enemy.

2019: Shift on Gun Control Stance

In 2019, Dan Patrick initially called for requiring background checks for gun sales between two strangers but later backed away, instead supporting legislation to expand gun rights, including constitutional carry.

2019: Opposition to Cannabis Decriminalization

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

2019: Push for Teacher Pay Raise

In 2019, Dan Patrick pushed for an increase of $5,000 in paychecks for Texas teachers.

April 7, 2020: Creation of Task Force to Re-open Texas Economy

On April 7, 2020, Dan Patrick announced the creation of a task force to make recommendations on how to re-open Texas's economy during the COVID-19 pandemic.

October 2021: Voter Fraud Reward Payment

In October 2021, Dan Patrick paid the first reward of $25,000 to a Pennsylvania poll worker who reported a man that voted twice, after promising to pay up to $1 million for reports of voter fraud after the 2020 election.

2021: Passage of Legislation Restricting Voting Rights

In 2021, Dan 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: Support for Limiting Civil Rights Writings in Schools

In 2021, Dan Patrick supported legislation aimed at preventing public schools from mandating students to read writings by civil rights figures, such as Susan B. Anthony, Cesar Chavez, and Martin Luther King Jr., when covering women’s suffrage and the civil rights movement in social studies classes.

2021: Views on Medical Cannabis

In 2021, during an interview, Dan Patrick expressed openness to some medical cannabis changes but downplayed more ambitious efforts, stating concerns about recreational use legalization through medical exceptions.

2022: Pledge to End Tenure and Revoke for CRT Teaching

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

March 7, 2023: Guest lecture by Dr. Joy Alonzo

On March 7, 2023, Dr. Joy Alonzo, a Texas A&M professor, gave a guest lecture at University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB). She suggested that the Patrick administration's policies on the opioid crisis had led to more opioid deaths. Subsequently, Patrick's office contacted Texas A&M chancellor John Sharp about Alonzo, leading to her being placed on administrative leave and formally censured by UTMB.

August 2, 2023: Defense of Conduct in Houston Chronicle Op-Ed

On August 2, 2023, Dan Patrick defended his conduct in an op-ed published in the Houston Chronicle regarding the controversy surrounding Dr. Joy Alonzo's statements about his administration's opioid crisis policies.

June 21, 2024: Seeking Ten Commandments Bill

On June 21, 2024, Dan Patrick stated his intention to pass a bill similar to Louisiana's House Bill 71, requiring the Ten Commandments in schools, and criticized Speaker Dade Phelan for failing to put Senate Bill 1515 to a vote.

March 2025: Visit to Hemp Store and THC Regulation Concerns

In March 2025, Dan Patrick visited The Happy Cactus Apothecary, an Austin hemp store, during debates over THC regulation. He opted not to show ID when asked, and later reiterated concerns over industry practices regarding minor protection at a press conference with state senator Charles Perry and law enforcement.