Following a rough and rocky regular session and series of special sessions, Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst has announced he will seek another term.
Dewhurst has presided over the Texas Senate for over a decade, during the course of the first special session this summer, he faced criticism about his leadership and handling of the controversial abortion bill.
"I didn’t lose control over what we were doing," Dewhurst said on May 26, following the defeat of the abortion bill by a filibuster and ensuing chaos in the Senate chamber. "We had an unruly mob of hundreds if not a thousand of people in here that were screaming and yelling and we couldn’t communicate with our members."
Following the first session, Dewhurst placed much of the blame for the failed abortion bill on the House, saying they didn't pass it quickly enough, leaving Democrats with an opportunity to run out the clock with a filibuster.
Some House members like Rep. Lyle Larson, R-San Antonio, and Rep. Charlie Geren, R-Fort Worth, have taken issue with Dewhurst pointing the finger at House members for legislative stumbles.
In a recently released campaign video filled with epic music, dramatic montages and fireworks, Dewhurst touts his record to keep the federal government out of Texas.
"During my time as your lieutenant governor I’ve watched our state grow stronger despite Washington's endless attempts to take away our freedom," Dewhurst said.
Running against Dewhurst in the Republican primary for the lieutenant governor's seat are state Sen. Dan Patrick from Houston, Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples and Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson.
