AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has endorsed the wife of Attorney General Ken Paxton in her Republican primary bid for state Senate — shunning the brother of an incumbent in the chamber he oversees.
Patrick praised Paxton’s religious and conservative values in a video released Friday, saying, “I need Angela Paxton in the Texas Senate.”
Paxton has never held elected office but has called herself a “pistol-packing mama whose husband sues Obama,” referencing Texas’ frequent lawsuits against the Obama administration.
Paxton is locked in a bitter primary battle for the North Texas seat with Phillip Huffines, brother of Dallas Republican state Sen. Don Huffines.
Whoever wins the March 6 primary becomes the favorite to replace the seat’s current occupant, state Sen. Van Taylor, who is leaving the Legislure to run for Congress.
