Most Talked-About Controversies Linked to Dan Patrick (politician)

Controversies are a part of history. Explore the biggest scandals linked to Dan Patrick (politician).

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.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Controversies & Scandals

April 2004: Announced Boycott of Houston Chronicle

In April 2004, Dan Patrick announced a boycott of the Houston Chronicle and owned a blog called Chronically Biased which criticized the newspaper.

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.

May 2012: Acrimony with John Carona

In May 2012, a feud between Dan Patrick and fellow Republican state senator John Carona was widely reported due to accusations and distrust.

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.

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.

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 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.

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 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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

March 7, 2023: Lecture by Dr. Joy Alonzo

On March 7, 2023, following a guest lecture by Texas A&M professor Dr. Joy Alonzo, Patrick's office contacted Texas A&M chancellor John Sharp about Alonzo which suggested that the Patrick administration's policies on the opioid crisis had led to more opioid deaths.

August 2, 2023: Defended conduct in op-ed

On August 2, 2023, Dan Patrick defended his conduct in an op-ed in the Houston Chronicle regarding his office contacting Texas A&M chancellor John Sharp about Dr. Joy Alonzo.