Lt. Governor Dan Patrick backs Pete Flores in GOP district runoff
From left, Lietenant Governor Dan Patrick, senatorial candidate Pete Flores and House Representative Andrew Murr pose in front of the Bulletin’s office following an interview. BULLETIN PHOTO/Daniel Tucker
During a tour of community papers in the recently redrawn District 24, Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick and State Representative Andrew Murr said Pete Flores is the best choice in the current GOP runoff.
The visit comes in the wake of recent campaign ads from Flores' opponent, Raul Reyes, saying Flores is too liberal, weak on the border and part of the Austin establishment, statements which Patrick denounced.
“This is just ugly,” Patrick said during a visit to the Bulletin. “When you have someone who’s just outright lying and attacking, everything he says, I think, ‘How do you think you’re going to get anything done?”
Flores said his decades-long“proven record” shows he is a true conservative.
“My record in my adult career has to conserve the pillars of society that make Texas great,” he said. That includes reduction of regulations that hinder business or hinder quality of life.”
State Representative Andrew Murr says he’s seen Flores’ attentiveness to border security in action.
“I talk to constituents every day. Pete does too,” said Murr. “When the federal government is derelict in their duties, we always feel like not enough’s being done, but the state of Texas has stepped up, and we’ve put everything on the table. Pete has told me planes are in the air, boots are on the ground, boats are in the water. Until we are all running in the same direction, we’re going to continue to deal with this challenge.”
Flores said his knowledge and history of Bandera also make him better equipped for the job than his opponent.
“Effective representation is what I bring to the table,” said Flores. “I have history in Bandera. I’ve served Bandera, I know Bandera, and a lot of Bandera knows me.”
According to Patrick, Reyes has never voted in a Republican primary until he was on the ballot.
“If you're a conservative, where have you been in the primaries? Why weren't you there voting for Ted Cruz? Why weren't you there voting for Donald Trump in 2016? Where were you?”
Cruz endorsed Reyes during his 2020 Congressional runoff against Tony Gonzales, who was endorsed by Trump. Reyes finished 45 votes behind Gonzales. A recount was held at Reyes’ request, but it did not overturn the results.
In this election, Flores has the endorsements of both Cruz and Trump.
“We need Pete Flores back in the Texas Senate,” Cruz tweeted last October.
Patrick said he felt Reyes’ behavior, such as calling Flores a lapdog, could ultimately damage the district.
““The district needs someone that's gonna work hard to represent the district, not come in and throw hand grenades,” said Reyes.
Reyes did not respond to the Bulletin’s request for comment, but he recently told the Texas Tribune he felt Flores would simply be adding to an echo chamber for Patrick in the Texas Senate.
“We're sending senators up there that don’t work for us,” said Reyes.”They work for Dan Patrick.”
Flores decries this claim, saying his record shows he prioritizes his constituents and community.
“He can say whatever he wants, but the facts are the facts. And the facts don’t support that narrative,” said Flores.
Early voting ends this Friday, and Election day is May 24.