History of Dan Patrick (politician) in Timeline
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, under Governor Greg Abbott. Prior to his political career, Patrick gained prominence in media. As Lieutenant Governor, he has been a key figure in Texas politics, advocating for conservative policies and playing a significant role in the state's legislative agenda.
1926: Birth of Vilma Jean Marshall and Charles Anthony Goeb
In 1926, both Vilma Jean Marshall, Dan Patrick's mother, and Charles Anthony Goeb, Dan Patrick's father, were born.
April 4, 1950: Dannie Scott Goeb Born
On April 4, 1950, Dannie Scott Goeb, later known as Dan Patrick, was born in Baltimore, Maryland.
1968: First Radio Job
In 1968, Dan Patrick started his first radio job at the age of 18.
1975: Marriage to Janetlea Rankin
In 1975, Dan Patrick married Janetlea "Jan" Patricia Rankin, a former teacher. They live in the Houston suburb of Cypress.
1977: Became Television Broadcaster at WNEP-TV
After college, in 1977, Dan Patrick became a television broadcaster at WNEP-TV in Scranton, Pennsylvania.
1977: Informal Name Change
In 1977, Dannie Scott Goeb informally changed his name to Dan Goeb Patrick.
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: Became Second Most Popular TV Personality
By 1983, Dan Patrick became the second most popular TV personality in Houston, but also one of the most disliked.
1984: KHOU-TV Bought By Belo Corporation
In 1984, Belo Corporation bought KHOU-TV, and Dan Patrick left his job there after failing to reach a long-term contract agreement.
1984: Charles Anthony Goeb Retired
In 1984, Charles Anthony Goeb, Dan Patrick's father, retired from The Baltimore Sun after thirty-one years.
1986: Filed for Personal Bankruptcy
In 1986, after his sports bar chain failed due to economic decline, Dan Patrick filed for personal bankruptcy.
1987: Bought Time Slot at AM 700 KSEV
In the summer of 1987, 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 KSEV Radio Station
In 1988, Dan Patrick took over the KSEV radio station and switched to political commentary shortly afterward.
1989: Signed Rush Limbaugh for KSEV
In 1989, Dan Patrick, as owner of KSEV, signed Rush Limbaugh for airing on KSEV via radio syndication.
October 1992: Debt Obligation Discharged
In October 1992, Dan Patrick discharged several hundred thousand dollars of debt obligation following his bankruptcy.
1992: Membership in Second Baptist Church Houston
Dan Patrick became a member of the Second Baptist Church Houston since 1992.
March 1994: Religious Conversion
In March 1994, Dan Patrick repented of his sins, committed his life to God, and was saved at a television-and-radio convention in Las Vegas.
1996: Trump won Texas by 9 percentage points
In 2016, Trump won Texas by 9 percentage points, the closest result since 1996.
2001: Anchored The Patrick Report
In 2001, Dan Patrick anchored The Patrick Report, a half-hour news program, on Houston television station KTBU and was also general manager of KTBU.
2002: Death of Charles Anthony Goeb
In 2002, Charles Anthony Goeb (1926-2002), Dan Patrick's father, passed away.
April 2004: Announced Boycott of Houston Chronicle
In April 2004, Dan Patrick announced a boycott of the Houston Chronicle newspaper and owned a blog called Chronically Biased, which criticized the newspaper.
2004: Considered Running for US House
In 2004, Dan Patrick first considered running for the United States House of Representatives.
2004: Legal Name Change
In 2004, Dannie Scott Goeb legally changed his name to Dan Goeb Patrick.
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: Term Began in Texas State Senate
On January 9, 2007, Dan Patrick's term began in the Texas State Senate 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.
2010: Re-elected to Texas Senate
In 2010, Dan Patrick was reelected to the Texas Senate with 86.4% of the vote and he endorsed Rick Perry for re-election. He then created a Tea Party Caucus in the Texas state legislature.
February 2011: Patrick Advocates for Cutting Non-Teaching Positions
In February 2011, then-vice chairman of the Texas Senate's Committee on Education, Dan Patrick, advocated for cutting an unspecified number of non-teaching positions from the state's public school districts.
May 2011: Texas Mandatory Ultrasound Bill Signed into Law
In May 2011, Governor Perry signed into law Texas' "Mandatory Ultrasound Bill", authored by Dan Patrick. The bill requires women seeking an abortion to undergo a sonogram of the fetus at least 24 hours before the procedure.
January 10, 2012: Fifth Circuit Court Rules in Favor of 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 an initial injunction.
May 2012: Acrimony with John Carona
In May 2012, acrimony between Dan Patrick and fellow Republican state senator John Carona was widely reported throughout Texas, with accusations and denials exchanged between them.
October 2012: School Districts Extend Benefits to Same-Sex Partners
In October 2012, an Austin-area public school district decided to extend benefits to their unmarried employees' same-sex partners.
November 2012: Patrick Requests Opinion on Domestic Partner Benefits
In November 2012, Dan 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 David Dewhurst's Failed Senate Bid
In 2012, Dan Patrick enthusiastically endorsed David Dewhurst in his failed bid for the U.S. Senate.
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.
January 2014: Patrick 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, characterizing such cases as rare.
May 27, 2014: Defeated David Dewhurst in Primary Runoff
On May 27, 2014, Dan Patrick defeated 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: Challenged David Dewhurst in the Republican primary
In 2014, Dan Patrick challenged incumbent David Dewhurst in the Republican primary for lieutenant governor.
2014: Patrick Opposes Same-Sex Marriage
In 2014, after a federal court ruled that Texas' ban on same-sex marriage was unconstitutional, Dan Patrick expressed his opposition to same-sex marriage.
2014: Patrick on Illegal Immigration
In 2014, questions arose regarding Dan Patrick's commitment to halt illegal immigration during the lieutenant governor's race, due to the immigration status of one of his employees, Miguel "Mike" Andrade.
January 20, 2015: Sworn in as Lieutenant Governor
On January 20, 2015, Dan Patrick was sworn in as Lieutenant Governor of Texas. Soon after, the Texas Senate voted to drop the threshold needed to consider a bill from two-thirds to three-fifths.
March 2015: Border Security Budget
In March 2015, Dan Patrick's budget in the Texas Senate called for spending $815 million on border security.
2015: Became Lieutenant Governor of Texas
In 2015, Dan Patrick became the 42nd Lieutenant Governor of Texas, serving under Governor Greg Abbott.
2015: End of Texas Senate Term
In 2015, Dan Patrick's term as a Republican member of the Texas Senate for the 7th District ended.
2015: Son Swears Patrick into Office
In 2015, Ryan Patrick, Dan Patrick's son, served as a district judge from Harris County, Texas, and swore his father into office as the lieutenant governor.
May 2016: Patrick Criticizes Obama Administration on Transgender Directive
In May 2016, Dan Patrick criticized the Obama administration's directive regarding transgender students' bathroom access, vowing not to yield to 'blackmail'.
2016: Endorsement of Donald Trump
In 2016, Dan Patrick endorsed Texas Senator Ted Cruz for the Republican presidential primaries and served as his Texas campaign chairman. After Donald Trump became the Republican nominee, Patrick endorsed him and became the Texas state chairman for his campaign.
2016: Death of Vilma Jean Marshall
In 2016, Vilma Jean Marshall (1926-2016), Dan Patrick's mother, passed away.
2016: Tweet after Orlando Nightclub Shooting
In 2016, hours after the Orlando nightclub shooting, Dan Patrick tweeted a Bible verse that was later deleted after generating controversy. He stated the tweet was pre-scheduled.
January 5, 2017: Patrick Pushes for Bathroom Bill
On January 5, 2017, Dan Patrick pushed for a bathroom bill in Texas, encouraging state Senator Lois Kolkhorst to introduce legislation similar to North Carolina's law.
January 9, 2017: Announced Re-election Bid for 2018
On January 9, 2017, Dan Patrick announced he would run for re-election in 2018.
May 21, 2017: Governor Abbott Signed Sermon Subpoena Bill
On May 21, 2017, Governor Abbott signed into law the bill prohibiting state or local governments from issuing subpoenas on pastors' sermons, a priority for Dan Patrick.
July 2017: Son 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, and the United States Senate subsequently confirmed him.
January 2018: Patrick's view on Presidents Trump and Reagan
In January 2018, Dan Patrick stated that he considered Presidents Trump and Ronald Reagan as the two greatest presidents in his lifetime, and the Austin American-Statesman described Patrick as an "ardent defender" of Trump.
March 6, 2018: Won Republican Primary
On March 6, 2018, Dan Patrick easily won the Republican primary, defeating Scott Milder.
June 2018: Patrick on Illegal Immigrants
In June 2018, Dan Patrick estimated during an interview on Fox Business Network that 30 million illegal immigrants lived in the U.S.
2018: Active in Republican Primary Candidates
In 2018, Dan Patrick actively endorsed and assisted Republican primary candidates in the Texas Senate, and later donated nearly $175,000 to Texas Senate candidate Pete Flores.
2018: Re-elected Lieutenant Governor
In 2018, Dan Patrick was re-elected as Lieutenant Governor, defeating Democratic nominee Mike Collier.
April 2019: Patrick Calls O'Rourke 'Light in the Loafers'
In April 2019, Dan Patrick called Democratic presidential candidate Beto O'Rourke "light in the loafers" and a "moron," later stating the insinuation was unintentional.
October 17, 2019: Remarks at Trump Rally
On October 17, 2019, at a political rally for President Trump, Dan Patrick told a crowd of 20,000 that liberals "are not our opponents, they are our enemy."
2019: Patrick on El Paso Shooting
After the 2019 El Paso shooting, Dan Patrick listed video games as a factor that he believed contributed to the shooting.
2019: Patrick on Gun Sales and Rights
In 2019, Dan Patrick initially called for required background checks for gun sales between strangers, but later backed away from this position and supported legislation to expand gun rights, including constitutional carry.
2019: Patrick Opposes Cannabis Decriminalization
In 2019, Dan Patrick opposed a bill to decriminalize simple possession of cannabis in Texas, announcing it was dead on arrival in the Senate.
2019: Patrick Pushes for Teacher Pay Raise
In 2019, Dan Patrick pushed for an increase of $5,000 to Texas teachers' paychecks.
March 23, 2020: Patrick Willing to Risk Life for Economy
On March 23, 2020, Dan Patrick stated in an interview with Fox News' Tucker Carlson that he was willing to risk his life from COVID-19 to avoid an economic shutdown.
April 7, 2020: Task Force to Re-Open Texas's 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.
2020: Support of Trump's False Claims
After Joe Biden won the 2020 election and Trump made false claims of fraud, Dan Patrick backed Trump as he refused to concede. Patrick said he would pay up to $1 million for reports of voter fraud across the country.
2020: Patrick Calls Vote-by-Mail Expansion a Scam
In 2020, Dan Patrick referred to efforts to expand vote-by-mail during the COVID-19 pandemic as a "scam by Democrats to steal the election."
October 2021: Payment for Voter Fraud Report
In October 2021, Dan Patrick paid the first reward of $25,000 to a Pennsylvania poll worker who reported a man that voted twice.
2021: Patrick on Medical Cannabis Changes
In 2021, Dan Patrick expressed openness to some medical cannabis changes while downplaying more ambitious efforts.
2021: Prioritized Legislation and Profile
In 2021, Dan Patrick made legislation requiring the U.S. national anthem at state-funded events a priority, along with legislation to protect "election integrity" in Texas. Later, he was described as a driving force behind a hard right turn in Texas.
2021: Patrick Presides Over Voting Rights Restrictions
In 2021, Dan Patrick presided over the passage of legislation in the Texas Senate that restricted voting rights.
2021: Patrick Supports Limiting Civil Rights Writings in Schools
In 2021, Dan Patrick supported legislation aimed at preventing public schools from requiring students to read writings by civil rights figures such as Susan B. Anthony, Cesar Chavez, and Martin Luther King Jr. in social studies classes.
2022: Endorsed Candidates in Republican Primaries
During his tenure as lieutenant governor, in 2022 Dan Patrick became influential in Texas Republican politics and actively endorsed candidates in the Republican primaries for the Texas Senate.
2022: Patrick Pledges to End Tenure
In 2022, Dan Patrick pledged to end tenure for new hires at Texas public universities and revoke tenure for faculty teaching critical race theory.
2022: Re-elected Lieutenant Governor Again
In 2022, Dan Patrick was re-elected as Lieutenant Governor for another term, defeating Democratic nominee Mike Collier.
2022: Inaccurate Absentee Ballot Mailing
In 2022, Dan Patrick's campaign sent a mass mailing with inaccurate instructions on how to send requests for absentee ballots.
2022: Defeated Mike Collier in General Election
In the 2022 general election, Dan Patrick again defeated Democratic challenger Mike Collier with about 53.8% of the vote.
January 25, 2023: Announced Reelection Bid in 2026
On January 25, 2023, Dan Patrick told The Texan's reporter McKenzie DiLullo that he would be running for reelection in 2026.
March 7, 2023: Dr. Joy Alonzo's Guest Lecture
On March 7, 2023, Texas A&M professor Dr. Joy Alonzo gave a guest lecture at the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB). During the lecture, she suggested that the Patrick administration's opioid crisis policies had resulted in more opioid deaths.
August 2, 2023: Patrick Defends Conduct in Houston Chronicle
On August 2, 2023, Dan Patrick defended his conduct regarding the Dr. Joy Alonzo controversy in an op-ed published in the Houston Chronicle.
2023: Patrick Supports DEI Ban
In 2023, Dan Patrick supported legislation banning diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) offices at public universities.
June 21, 2024: Patrick Seeks Ten Commandments Bill
On June 21, 2024, Dan Patrick stated that he would seek to pass a bill similar to Louisiana's requiring the Ten Commandments in schools in the next legislative session.
March 2025: Patrick Visits Hemp Store
In March 2025, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick visited The Happy Cactus Apothecary and declined to show ID when asked, later expressing concerns over industry practices.
April 2025: Patrick Champions School Voucher Program
In April 2025, Dan Patrick championed the passage of Senate Bill 2, a school voucher program that established education savings accounts using public funds for private school tuition.
May 1, 2025: Patrick Appointed to Religious Liberty Commission
On May 1, 2025, Donald Trump appointed Dan Patrick to chair the newly established Religious Liberty Commission.
May 2025: Ten Commandments Bill Passed
In May 2025, a Ten Commandments bill passed.
2025: Support of Texas Senate Bill 20
In 2025, Dan Patrick applauded the unanimous passage of Texas Senate Bill 20 in the Texas Senate and called it "a priority" to protect children in Texas, and Texas citizens and thanked Pete Flores for his work on "this important issue." He later described the bill as part of the "bold, conservative agenda" that the Texas legislature passed during the 2025 legislative session.
2026: Run for reelection
Dan Patrick announced he would be running for reelection in 2026.
Mentioned in this timeline
Donald John Trump is an American politician media personality and...
Tucker Carlson is an American conservative political commentator best known...
The United States of America is a federal republic located...
Greg Abbott is the th and current governor of Texas...
Ronald Reagan the th U S President - was a...
Martin Luther King Jr was a pivotal leader in the...
Trending
5 months ago Miley Cyrus Shares Demi Lovato's Girl Group Plan with Selena Gomez and Taylor Swift
Jon Gruden is a well-known figure in American football having served both as a coach and analyst His coaching career...
2 hours ago Liam Neeson and Pamela Anderson dating news surfaces amidst Natasha Richardson remembrance.
3 months ago Phillies Secure Fifth Straight Win Against Rockies with Strong Offensive Performance.
Harold Watson Trey Gowdy III is a former American politician and federal prosecutor He served as a U S Representative...
5 months ago Ecuador Oil Spill: Pipeline Rupture Causes Emergency, Export Cuts, and Sales Limbo
Popular
Jeff Bezos is an American businessman renowned as the founder...
Jupiter is the fifth and largest planet from the Sun...
Elizabeth Warren is a prominent American politician and the senior...
Adam Schiff is an American politician and lawyer currently serving...
Ken Paxton is an American politician and lawyer currently serving...
Candace Owens is an American political commentator and author known...