Jerry Patterson announced he will file his candidacy to run against current General Land Office Commissioner George P. Bush during the Republican primaries in March.
“At this point in life it’s not exactly what I had planned nor is it my first choice, but I’ve watched this agency over the last three years essentially crater,” Patterson said.
Patterson criticized Bush for his handling of housing relief for those impacted by Hurricane Harvey and for what he and others call a lack of transparency related to the $450 million Alamo Restoration Project.
“After last week’s hearing in the Senate where it was evident that he is trying to hide the ball at the Alamo and refusing to comply with open records requests, I have concluded that’s a guy that doesn’t get it,” Patterson said.
Patterson left his position as commissioner in 2014 for what ultimately resulted in an unsuccessful run for lieutenant governor.
Patterson served as the state’s General Land Commissioner from 2002 to 2014. Prior to that he was a state senator, helping pass the Concealed Handgun Law in 1994.
Ryan Poppe can be reached at rpoppe@tpr.org or on Twitter @RyanPoppe1
