HOUSTON (Legal Newsline) - A Texas legal watchdog group is endorsing state Sen. Dan Patrick in the upcoming Republican run-off election for Lt. Governor.
Patrick, a Houston conservative radio jockey, walloped incumbent Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst in the March 4 primary, capturing 550,769 votes for 41.45 percent of the total vote - exceeding Dewhurst's 28.31 percent vote total.
On Thursday, Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC announced that it is endorsing Patrick in the May 27 run-off.
"We have worked closely with Sen. Patrick over the years and he has always been a tort reform stalwart who has consistently refused to accept political contributions from personal injury trial lawyers," TLR CEO Richard Weekley said.
"During the last legislative session, as chairman of the Senate Education Committee, Dan (Patrick) showed legislative skill and statesmanship in producing large bipartisan support for an impressive array of important legislation impacting the public schools of Texas. We are confident he will employ these same leadership skills on every issue when he is Lt. governor."
Although both candidates have solid records supporting legislation to reduce lawsuit abuse and assure that the Texas civil justice system remains fair and balanced, Patrick has earned the support of all Republicans who want to retain the Lt. governorship in conservative hands, TLR PAC says in a press release.
The winner of the run-off will face Texas Sen. Leticia Van de Putte, D-San Antonio, in the November general election.
"In contrast to Senator Patrick, the Democratic nominee for Lt. governor is a persistent foe of tort reform and a close ally of the personal injury trial lawyers," said Weekley.
"It is time for conservatives to focus on the November election to make sure that the Texas Senate continues to be a bastion for legislation promoting a fair and balanced civil justice system."
TLRPAC is the political arm of Texans for Lawsuit Reform, the state's largest civil justice reform organization.
From Legal Newsline: Reach David Yates at elections@legalnewsline.com
Texas legal reform group endorses Sen. Dan Patrick for Lt. governor, calls him 'tort reform stalwart'
