Gov. Greg Abbott, the figurehead of the Texas Republican Party, has worked tirelessly to shape the direction of modern Texas conservatism. His steadfast focus on border security and school choice has endeared him to the grassroots conservatives who control Republican Party primary elections. Based on the frequency of his television appearances on Fox News, Abbott is clearly becoming a rising candidate to succeed President Donald Trump in 2028.
There is another player, however, in this biennial pageant who is not as well-known as Abbott and who is not as frequently on the evening news, but whose influence, political importance and Texas historical impact surpasses every Texas elected official in a generation.
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, love him or hate him, is the most powerful Texas politician since the legendary Lt. Gov. Bob Bullock.
Patrick’s authority flows not from the powers granted to him through the Texas Constitution, though those are ample. His influence lies in his innate ability to astutely understand the issues that drive and galvanize Texas conservatives. Forged in the fires of conservative talk radio, Patrick has an uncanny ability to discern the ever-changing complexion of Texas conservative politics.
As a former member of the Texas Legislature, I have witnessed Patrick’s political skills up close and in person. In February of 2014, as David Dewhurst, Jerry Patterson, Todd Staples and Dan Patrick were running to become the next lieutenant governor of Texas, I sent an open letter to the candidates pleading with them to moderate their rhetoric as it related to Texas Hispanics and soliciting their feedback on how Texas elected officials might better understand the plight of documented and undocumented Latinos. At that time, Texas Hispanics were beginning to consider voting for Republicans in larger numbers than they had in the past. The white-hot, anti-immigrant language was hurting the party with Latinos, and I was curious if the candidates would be willing to moderate their rhetoric in order to appeal to these potential voters.
Each of the candidates responded with thoughtful and sincere proposals, but only Patrick requested a meeting to discuss the issue in depth. He took time out of his exceedingly busy schedule to come to Dallas and personally sit down with a mere first-term House member. He certainly had no obligation to do so, but he had a prescient understanding of the growing importance of Latino voters in Texas.
Patrick met with me without alerting the media and without requesting any quid pro quo from me or my team. He was genuinely interested in the conversation and learning more about the issues.
He may not have agreed with me that afternoon, but he listened intently. Since then, he and I have disagreed on myriad issues, but after our meeting in Dallas on that afternoon in a quiet corner of the Ritz Carlton, it was clear to me that he would not only win that race for Lieutenant Governor, but he would also become a major force in Texas politics.
Without the title of SO-1 (State Official 1, the rank given to the governor), Patrick has been able to steer the political direction of Texas through the discipline of listening to Texas conservatives and vociferously advocating for issues he knows they care about.
His ability to tease out the drivers of the electorate helped him become lieutenant governor a decade ago. And it has helped him become the most powerful man at the Texas Capitol.
Jason Villalba is the CEO of the Texas Hispanic Policy Foundation, a former member of the Texas House and a partner at the law firm of Frost Brown Todd LLP.
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