Trump Taps Patrick As Texas Chairman
Follow CBSDFW.COM: Facebook | Twitter
AUSTIN (AP) - Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has been named Donald Trump's Texas state chairman — the same position he held for Ted Cruz before Cruz dropped out of the presidential race.
Patrick is a tea party favorite who has vowed to secure the Texas-Mexico border above all else. He feuded with Cruz in 2012, but eventually became an outspoken Cruz supporter during the Republican presidential primary.
After Trump clinched the GOP nomination, however, Patrick quickly and whole-heartedly endorsed him — while Cruz and Gov. Greg Abbott didn't.
Patrick's reward was Friday's announcement that he will lead Trump's Texas operations. Trump should win Texas easily, despite polls suggesting the race with Hillary Clinton could be tightening up.
Trump praised Patrick in a statement as "a passionate conservative" and "good friend to our campaign."
(© Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)