Incumbent Republican Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick emerged the victor on Tuesday of the rematch between him and Democratic challenger Mike Collier.
Patrick, who was first elected to the State of Texas’ second highest office in 2014, garnered 54% of the vote to fend off Collier and secure a third term.
Austin ABC affiliate KVUE reported that the race brimmed with intrigue because several people in Patrick’s own party endorsed Collier.
Per KVUE, Patrick, as the deputy to Gov. Greg Abbott, was instrumental in the passage of key measures in the Texas Legislature such as those that allowed open carry and campus carry and protected religious freedom.
While Patrick and Abbott have served in their respective offices in the same length of time, they weren’t running mates as Texas gubernatorial and lieutenant gubernatorial aspirants field campaigns separate from one another.
As the second most powerful person in state government, Patrick, a former radio personality and businessman from Houston, presides over the state senate.
A Texas Tribune report that was ran by Austin CBS affiliate KEYE said that when Patrick and Collier faced off for the first time in 2018, the Republican won by five percent points.
Per the report, Patrick’s victory ensures that the GOP will remain in the driver’s seat when the legislature goes into regular session next year.
Earlier this year, the 72-year-old Patrick earned the endorsement from former President Donald J. Trump.
Austin NBC affiliate KXAN reported that Patrick ran on lowering property taxes, border security and school choice.
He asserted that he gave more funding to public education than any of his predecessors, per KXAN.
“The other side does not line up with the values of West Texas, Central Texas and rural Texas,” Patrick said, the station reported.