Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick made it clear Tuesday that he will once again seek re-election, dispelling speculation that he might step away from the post he has held for more than a decade“I’m all in,” Patrick told reporters during an afternoon press conference at the Austin Club, reiterating his commitment to the 2026 race.
Patrick, who has already announced his candidacy several times this year, joked about the persistence of rumors regarding his political future. “I’ve announced I was running for lieutenant governor five or six times,” he quipped. “No one seems to believe me.”
The lieutenant governor was flanked by a group of Texas senators who joined him in highlighting the Legislature’s accomplishments under his leadership. Patrick cited the passage of pro-life legislation, a homestead exemption for property taxes, and measures bolstering Second Amendment rights among his most significant victories.
Patrick also gave the floor to senators and candidates who plan to run in 2026. State Reps. David Cook (R-Mansfield) and Dennis Paul (R-Houston), both running for Texas Senate seats, attended the event alongside Leigh Wambsganss, who is seeking to replace former senator and acting Texas Comptroller Kelly Hancock. All three have received endorsements from former President Donald Trump, signaling their alignment with the conservative wing of the Republican Party.
Patrick first rose to statewide prominence in 2014, when he was elected lieutenant governor after serving eight years in the Texas Senate. Since then, he has secured re-election every four years and built a reputation as one of the state’s most influential political figures.
Financially, Patrick enters the 2026 cycle with a significant advantage. In January, his campaign announced a record-setting $33.5 million in cash on hand, calling it the second-largest balance ever reported by a Texas officeholder. His July filing added another $5 million to the total, cementing his position as one of the best-funded candidates in the state.
Policy battles remain central to Patrick’s campaign message. During the most recent legislative sessions, he has pushed aggressively for a ban on hemp-derived THC products, rejecting proposals for regulation. “If you regulate something, you legalize it,” he said Tuesday, warning against Texas becoming “the marijuana capital of the country.”
The Senate has already advanced several of its high-profile priorities in the current special session, including the hemp-derived THC ban, a ban on taxpayer-funded lobbying, and the Texas Women’s Privacy Act.
