Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst’s bid for re-election lost a key business-focused endorsement this week as Texans for Lawsuit Reform switched their endorsement to Sen. Dan Patrick for the Republican run-off election.
In the March primary featuring four candidates, Patrick led the field with more than 40 percent of the vote while the incumbent Dewhurst garnered 28 percent.
With one of the largest political operations in the state, Texans for Lawsuit Reform had endorsed and strongly supported Dewhurst going into the primary election.
The group’s press release noted that “in determining the best course for the State of Texas going forward, TLRPAC believes that Sen. Patrick has earned the support of all Republicans who want to retain the Lt. Governorship in conservative hands.”
The organization’s co-founder and CEO, Richard Weekley, announced that they were switching their endorsement because of Patrick’s record as a “tort reform stalwart.”
“During the last legislative session, as Chairman of the Senate Education Committee, Dan showed legislative skill and statesmanship in producing large bi-partisan support for an impressive array of important legislation impacting the public schools of Texas,” said Weekley. “We are confident he will employ these same leadership skills on every issue when he is Lt. Governor.”
Weekley lauded Dewhurst’s record.
“We deeply appreciate the service that David Dewhurst has provided our nation and our State and we trust that he will continue to use his talents and energy for the benefit of our community.”
In response to the endorsement switch, Dewhurst campaign spokesman Chris Bryan told Breitbart Texas, “Lt. Governor Dewhurst is continuing to travel the state, listening to Texans and discussing his years of leadership on essential issues like cutting taxes, limiting spending and leading the charge on tort reforms that have transformed the Texas economy and increased the numbers of doctors practicing in previously under-served areas of the state.”
Bryan added that Lt. Governor Dewhurst’s “vision for the future continues to inspire grassroots voters across Texas.”
Michael Quinn Sullivan is the President of Empower Texans, an organization that has previously endorsed Dan Patrick in the race.
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