photo by John Anderson

The Dan Patrick Files

Who is Dan Patrick?

He's the former Danny Goeb, a Baltimore-born sportscaster (not to be confused with the much nicer Dan Patrick formerly of ESPN) who reinvented himself as the burning radical of Texas' religious right.

Patrick has made a career out of getting little done, but doing it loudly, and getting promoted because of it. In his first term in the Texas senate, he passed the lowest number of bills out of any in his freshman class (three) but made a permanent mark on the Capitol by having "In God We Trust" carved into the Senate wall. Since then, he's loudly pursued every Evangelical conservative talking point, insulted the president, attacked voting rights at every turn, spearheaded the fight on reproductive health care, and refused to share the room with Muslims.

He's been accused of being a snake oil salesman and had his sanity questioned – and that's by ranking members of his own party. In turn, he's accused Gov. Greg Abbott and Speaker Joe Straus of picking on him. And yet, in spite (or maybe because of all that) he's become lieutenant governor of Texas, the second most powerful position in the state.

Welcome to the wonderful world of Dan Patrick. – Richard Whittaker

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick Slams Obama Over Support for Police
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick Slams Obama Over Support for Police
In response, POTUS reiterates support for law enforcement

July 14, 2016

Dan Patrick Excoriated Over Orlando Shooting Tweet
Dan Patrick Excoriated Over Orlando Shooting Tweet
Lite Guv blames Twitter debacle on timing, not bigotry

June 12, 2016

Dan Patrick: Ignore Obama's Transgender Policy
Dan Patrick: Ignore Obama's Transgender Policy
Parents of transgender students speak out against Patrick

May 31, 2016

Dan Patrick, Still on Bathroom Patrol
Dan Patrick, Still on Bathroom Patrol
Lt. Guv takes issue with Obama's trans-inclusive policy

May 13, 2016

Patrick Bullies School ISD Over Transgender Policy
Patrick Bullies School ISD Over Transgender Policy
Lt. Gov. calls for resignation of Ft. Worth superintendent

May 10, 2016

Dan Patrick's Latest Terrible Tweet
Dan Patrick's Latest Terrible Tweet
Lite Guv social media debacle over San Bernardino murders

Dec. 4, 2015

Patrick's Advisers Call Pre-K "Godless"
Pre-K "Godless"
Another sign of discord between Lite Guv and Abbott?

April 22, 2015

Top 10 Quotes of the Week
Top 10 Quotes of the Week
Relive 2014 through our favorite quotes of the week

Dec. 31, 2014

Lieutenant Governor Race is all LOLs
Lieutenant Governor Race is all LOLs
Dan Patrick apes Dewhurst with kittens

Aug. 16, 2013

Menacing Behavior Under the Dome
Menacing Behavior Under the Dome
Witness removed after threatening senators that dare to vote against sanctuary city bill

April 15, 2009

Patrick's Ill-Considered Pull Quote
Patrick's Ill-Considered Pull Quote
Houston senator delivers web sneer to his new committee chair

Feb. 7, 2009

The Dan Patrick Files
Oklahoma Is OK for Dan Patrick
Oklahoma now requires ultrasounds for pregnant women seeking abortion. Is Texas next?

May 23, 2008

Sen. Dan Patrick: State Theologian
Sen. Dan Patrick: State Theologian
Blowhard legislator from Houston insists he's just misunderstood

April 19, 2007

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