Dan Patrick - Ballotpedia

Lt. Governor - The Texas State Senate

Dan Patrick is originally from Maryland. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in English from University of Maryland. Patrick lives with his wife, Jan, and they have two children and eight grandchildren.

Dan currently works as the lieutenant governor of Texas and serves as the president of the Texas State Senate. He previously worked as a conservative talk radio host, television anchor, radio station owner, and founder of Talk Radio KSEV in the Houston/Galveston area, and he also founded the Lone Star Times. Patrick also operated a sports bar chain before transitioning into media.

Dan currently serves as the lieutenant governor of Texas. He was first elected in 2014 and is serving his third term. Patrick previously served as a Texas state senator for District 7. He served two terms from 2007 to 2015.

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick formally launches 2026 re-election campaign

Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick: Home

As state senator, cut the franchise tax by 25%.

Supports lowering property taxes as a central economic policy.

Supported a $100,000 homestead exemption for property taxes.

Presents the $100,000 homestead exemption as a nonnegotiable part of tax relief.

As lieutenant governor, delivered an $18 billion property tax cut.

Supports reducing business taxes and regulatory burdens to promote economic growth.

As a state senator, supported the $100,000 homestead exemption as part of the $18 billion property tax cut.

Supports legislative priorities focused on economic expansion.

- Supports lowering property taxes as a central economic policy.
- Presents the $100,000 homestead exemption as a nonnegotiable part of tax relief.
- Supports reducing business taxes and regulatory burdens to promote economic growth.
- Supports legislative priorities focused on economic expansion.

Economy

Dan Patrick - Wikipedia

Opposes abortion and has supported legislation restricting access.

Opposes pathways toward recreational marijuana legalization.

- Opposes abortion and has supported legislation restricting access.
- Opposes pathways toward recreational marijuana legalization.

Healthcare

Wants to "strengthen our grid by adding additional reliable dispatchable power."

Supports oil and gas production and policies protecting the industry.

Supports strengthening the electric grid through additional reliable power.

- Supports oil and gas production and policies protecting the industry.
- Supports strengthening the electric grid through additional reliable power.

Energy & the Environment

Dan Patrick secures third term as Texas lieutenant governor

Supports increased law enforcement resources and public safety funding.

Supports stronger criminal penalties for firearm-related crimes while backing gun rights.

Believes violent video games are a contributing factor to mass shootings.

- Supports increased law enforcement resources and public safety funding.
- Supports stronger criminal penalties for firearm-related crimes while backing gun rights.
- Believes violent video games are a contributing factor to mass shootings.

Public Safety

Supports expanded border security measures and enforcement funding.

- Supports expanded border security measures and enforcement funding.
- Supports military members and veterans.

Foreign Policy and Immigration

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick plans to run for reelection

Supports providing a high-quality education for all.

Supports school choice, including using state dollars for nontraditional schooling, while arguing rural schools can be protected.

Supports school voucher programs, which allow parents to use public funds to enroll their children in schools beyond their local options, including private schools.

Supports legislation to end the teaching of critical race theory and abolish diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies in universities.

Supports raising teacher pay and providing additional payments to retired teachers.

Wants to reform tenure practices in higher education.

- Supports school choice, including using state dollars for nontraditional schooling, while arguing rural schools can be protected.
- Supports legislation to end the teaching of critical race theory and abolish diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies in universities.
- Supports raising teacher pay and providing additional payments to retired teachers.
- Wants to reform tenure practices in higher education.

Education

Criticized the impeachment process used against Attorney General Ken Paxton.

Previously expressed support for term-limit principles but later indicated plans to seek reelection.

- Criticized the impeachment process used against Attorney General Ken Paxton.
- Previously expressed support for term-limit principles but later indicated plans to seek reelection.

Voting & Elections

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Dan Patrick

Dan currently works as the Lieutenant Governor of Texas and serves as the president of the Texas State Senate. He previously worked as a conservative talk radio host, television anchor, radio station owner, and founder of Talk Radio KSEV in the Houston/Galveston area, and he also founded the Lone Star Times. Patrick also operated a sports bar chain before transitioning into media.

Dan currently serves as the Lieutenant Governor of Texas. He was first elected in 2014 and is serving his third term. Patrick previously served as a Texas State Senator for District 7. He served two terms from 2007 to 2015.

- Supports increased law enforcement resources and public safety funding.
- Supports stronger criminal penalties for firearm-related crimes while backing gun rights.
- Identified violent video games as a contributing factor to mass shootings.

- Supports school choice, including using state dollars for nontraditional schooling, while arguing rural schools can be protected.
- Supports legislation addressing critical race theory, DEI, and tenure policies.
- Supports raising teacher pay and providing additional payments to retired teachers.

Dan Patrick currently serves as the Lieutenant Governor of Texas. He was first elected in 2014 and is serving his third term. Patrick previously served as a Texas State Senator for District 7. He served two terms from 2007 to 2015.

- Supports lowering property taxes as a central economic policy
- Presents the $100,000 homestead exemption as a nonnegotiable part of tax relief
- Supports reducing business taxes and regulatory burdens to promote economic growth
- Supports legislative priorities focused on economic expansion

- Opposes abortion and has supported legislation restricting access
- Opposes pathways toward recreational marijuana legalization

- Supports oil and gas production and policies protecting the industry
- Supports strengthening the electric grid through additional reliable power

- Supports increased law enforcement resources and public safety funding
- Supports stronger criminal penalties for firearm-related crimes while backing gun rights
- Identified violent video games as a contributing factor to mass shootings

- Supports expanded border security measures and enforcement funding
- Supports military members and veterans

- Supports school choice, including using state dollars for nontraditional schooling, while arguing rural schools can be protected
- Supports legislation addressing critical race theory, DEI, and tenure policies
- Supports raising teacher pay and providing additional payments to retired teachers

- Criticized the impeachment process used against Attorney General Ken Paxton
- Previously expressed support for term-limit principles but later indicated plans to seek reelection

As of January 22, 2026, Dan Patrick’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Alejandra Gracias

Walter Ley

District 3 Endorsement - Esala Wueschner — Save Austin Now ...

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Esala Wueschner is originally from Sri Lanka. He studied mechanical engineering at San Antonio College and physics at the University of Texas at San Antonio. Esala lives in Austin.

Esala is a technology professional. He works in the tech industry in Austin. He previously worked as an inventory planner, a videographer/photographer, a sales advisor, an operations coordinator, and a landscaper.

Texas lieutenant gubernatorial election, 2026 (March 3 Republican ...

Esala previously worked as a freelance videographer and photographer and an advisor for Inventory Planner by Sage. He also worked as an executive software sales advisor for SelectHub, an operations coordinator for Inframark, and a landscaper for Landscape Workshop. He served in the U.S. Air Force as a human resources specialist for four years.

Esala Wueschner previously ran for Austin City Council in 2022 and did not win.

Esala previously ran for Austin City Council to represent District 3 in 2022, but did not win.

For Candidate Esala Wueschner on Issue economy:  
Supports stopping foreign buyers, breaking monopolies, and making housing affordable for Texans.

Supports making housing affordable while breaking up monopolies and keeping foreign buyers out.

Supports reversing the 40% pay increase for the mayor and city council, reducing property taxes for small businesses, using audits to protect taxpayers, and banning out-of-state contributions to local candidates.

While running for city council, supported reversing the 40% pay increase for the mayor and city council, reducing property taxes for small businesses, using audits to protect taxpayers, and banning out-of-state contributions to local candidates.

Supports banning "big tech" companies' products from the Texas Senate if they violate Section 230 of the Commuications Act of 1934 to "stop censorship".

- Supports making housing affordable while breaking up monopolies and keeping foreign buyers out.
- While running for city council, supported reversing the 40% pay increase for the mayor and city council, reducing property taxes for small businesses, using audits to protect taxpayers, and banning out-of-state contributions to local candidates.
- Supports banning "big tech" companies' products from the Texas Senate if they violate Section 230 of the Commuications Act of 1934 to "stop censorship".

As of January 22, 2026, Esala Wueschner’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Supports legalizing marijuana and psychedelics.

Supports legalizing cannabis and psychedelics, along with policies that would "educate the public on proper use of psychedelics for our 'Spiritual' bodies".

For Candidate Esala Wueschner on Issue education: Believes high divorce rates and exposure to violence negatively impact youth and contribute to crime, emphasizing the need for a stronger focus on family and faith.

Said, "The major reason for the high crime rate is due to the corruptions in our Faith organizations."

- Supports legalizing cannabis and psychedelics, along with policies that would "educate the public on proper use of psychedelics for our 'Spiritual' bodies".
- Said, "The major reason for the high crime rate is due to the corruptions in our Faith organizations."

For Candidate Esala Wueschner on Issue education: Plans to remove the Ten Commandments from public schools and promote the teaching of the importance of all faiths.

Plans to remove the "Jewish" Ten Commandments from public schools and promote the teaching of the importance of all faiths.

For Candidate Esala Wueschner on Issue education: Supports restoring youth programs to teach leadership, followership, and healthy living.

Supports restoring youth programs to teach them to be a good follower, leader, and be fit mentally, physically, and spiritually.

- Plans to remove the "Jewish" Ten Commandments from public schools and promote the teaching of the importance of all faiths.
- Supports restoring youth programs to teach them to be a good follower, leader, and be fit mentally, physically, and spiritually.

Supports auditing voter fraud from the 2020-2024 Texas election cycle and holding wrongdoers accountable for treason.

Supports auditing the 2020-2024 Texas election cycle for voter fraud.

For Candidate Esala Wueschner on Issue economy:  
Calls for holding Texas politicians accountable for prioritizing foreign interests over the Bill of Rights.

Plans to hold Texas politicians accountable for prioritizing foreign interests over the Bill of Rights with "treason penalties."

- Supports auditing the 2020-2024 Texas election cycle for voter fraud.
- Plans to hold Texas politicians accountable for prioritizing foreign interests over the Bill of Rights with "treason penalties."

Esala Wueschner

Esala Wueschner is originally from Sri Lanka. He studied mechanical engineering at San Antonio College and physics at the University of Texas at San Antonio. Esala lives in Austin and practices 

Esala previously worked as a freelance videographer and photographer and a erp advisor for Inventory Planner by Sage. He also worked as an executive software sales advisor for SelectHub, an operations coordinator for Inframark, and a landscaper for Landscape Workshop. He served in the U.S. Air Force as a human resources specialist for four years.

- Supports making housing affordable while breaking up monopolies and keeping foreign buyers out.
- While running for City Council, supported reversing the 40% pay increase for the mayor and city council, reducing property taxes for small businesses, using audits to protect taxpayers, and banning out-of-state contributions to local candidates.
- Supports banning Big Tech companies' products from the Texas Senate if they violate Section 230 of the Commuications Act of 1934 to "stop censorship".

Perla Mu oz Hopkins has three children. She has three master's degrees in education. 

Perla Mu ñoz Hopkins is originally from California. She has a bachelor's degree in psychology from Excelsior College, a master's degree in adult education from Northwestern State University, and master's degrees in Spanish literature and teaching secondary education from Mississippi State University. Perla lives with her husband, Bart, and has three children.

Perla is an educator. She previously taught at Leander Independent School District in Texas. Perla is also a retired military spouse.

Perla currently works as an educator. She previously served in the U.S. Air Force for four years.

Perla previously ran for Texas State Board of Education member in 2022 and for Texas State Representative in 2022, but did not win.

Perla Hopkins - Ballotpedia

Perla previously ran for Texas State Board of Education, District 5 and for Texas House of Representatives, District 19 in 2022, but did not win.

Opposes abortion access, allowing an exemption only in extreme circumstances, such as when a mother's life is at risk.

Supports medical freedom and informed consent, emphasizing the right of individuals and parents to make healthcare decisions.

Supports medical freedom and informed consent, emphasizing the right of individuals to make healthcare decisions.

- Opposes access to abortion.
- Supports medical freedom and informed consent, emphasizing the right of individuals to make healthcare decisions.

As of January 22, 2026, Perla Muñoz Hopkins’s website did not contain information on this issue.

For Candidate Perla Muñoz Hopkins on Issue public-safety:  
Supports banning Sharia Law and Courts in Texas and investigating schools and mosques linked to terrorist organizations.

Said she plans to "ban Sharia Law & Courts in Texas."

For Candidate Perla Muñoz Hopkins on Issue public-safety:  
Supports the right to self-defense, keeping and bearing arms, and lawful carry.

- Said she plans to "ban Sharia Law & Courts in Texas."
- Opposes guns ontrol.

Supports continued construction of the southern border wall and enhancing support for border agents to prevent unlawful entries.

Supports construction of a southern border wall and enhancing support for border agents to prevent undocumented immigration.

- Supports construction of a southern border wall and enhancing support for border agents to prevent undocumented immigration.

Supports parents' rights in education, advocating for their voices to be heard and respected in school board meetings, prioritizing the Open Meetings Act and First Amendment.

Supports parents' rights in education, advocating for their voices to be heard and respected in school board meetings.

Supports a renewed focus on the basics in education, including reading, writing, STEM, and civics, to inspire students to love America and achieve the American Dream.

Supports a renewed focus on reading, writing, STEM, and civics.

Supports removing the Obscenity Exemption in Texas Penal Code 43.24, opposes CRT in classrooms, and advocates for parental rights in education.

Opposes education on race and racism, and plans to remove an exemption that permits showing minors harmful material for scientific or educational purposes.

- Supports parents' rights in education, advocating for their voices to be heard and respected in school board meetings.
- Supports a renewed focus on reading, writing, STEM, and civics.
- Opposes education on race and racism, and plans to remove an exemption that permits showing minors harmful material for scientific or educational purposes.

Supports a transparent, fair, and accurate election process, secure voter registration, and requiring identification for voting.

- Supports a transparent, fair, and accurate election process, secure voter registration, and requiring identification for voting.

Perla Muñoz Hopkins

Perla Muñoz Hopkins has three master's degrees in education. She is a strong Catholic and a mother.

Perla is a former teacher. She taught at Leander Independent School District in Texas.

Perla previously ran for Texas State Board of Education member in 2022 and for Texas State Representative in 2022, but did not win. 

Timothy is from San Antonio, Texas. He attended Louis D. Brandeis High School. He has a high school diploma from Louis D. Brandeis High School. He also graduated from San Antonio College in 2013. He lives with his wife and two children in the Canyon Lake neighborhood. He attends a local church.

Timothy Mabry - Ballotpedia

Timothy Mabry is from San Antonio. He attended San Antonio College. He lives with his wife, Sierra, in Canyon Lake.

Timothy is a business and leadership consultant. He works at Lead Through Fire, LLC. He previously served in the U.S. Navy from 2011 to 2013 and worked as a fire lieutenant.

Timothy currently works as a business and leadership consultant at his own firm. He previously worked as a fire officer and advanced emergency medical technician for the Bexar County Fire Department and the Center for Health Care Services. Timothy served in the U.S. Navy for two years.

Timothy Mabry's campaign for Lieutenant Governor of Texas is his first time running for public office.

Timothy's campaign for lieutenant governor of Texas is his first run for public office.

Supports abolishing property taxes and replacing them with a 7% consumption tax.

Supports holding elected officials accountable by requiring them to pass a test on the Texas and US constitutions, the Declaration of Independence, and Texas history.

Supports holding elected officials accountable by requiring them to pass a test on the Texas and U.S. constitutions, the Declaration of Independence, and Texas history.

Supports securing critical infrastructure, including water, energy, communications, roads, rail, ports, and airports.

Supports securing critical infrastructure.

- Supports abolishing property taxes and replacing them with a 7% consumption tax.
- Supports holding elected officials accountable by requiring them to pass a test on the Texas and U.S. constitutions, the Declaration of Independence, and Texas history.
- Supports securing critical infrastructure.
- Supports the legalization of hemp.

As of January 22, 2026, Timothy Mabry’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Supports the creation of a Texas Navy, Air Force, and Intelligence Agency.

- Supports the creation of a Texas Navy, Air Force, and Intelligence Agency.

Timothy Mabry

Timothy is from San Antonio. He attended San Antonio College in 2013. He lives with his wife, Sierra, in Canyon Lake.

Timothy Mabry's campaign for lieutenant governor of Texas is his first run for public office.

Supports the creation of a Texas Navy, Air Force, and Intelligence Agency to defend the state.

- The lieutenant governor is elected statewide by voters and is the second-highest elected official in Texas.
- They run the Texas Senate, deciding which bills are considered and who serves on Senate committees. This gives them major influence over state laws.
- They can cast a deciding vote in the Senate if there is a tie.
- The lieutenant governor helps shape the state budget and policy priorities by serving on key budget and oversight boards.
- If the governor is out of state, temporarily unable to serve, or leaves office, the lieutenant governor takes over the governor’s duties. If the governor leaves office permanently, the lieutenant governor becomes governor.
- The lieutenant governor serves a four-year term and can run again with no term limits.
- The position pays the same base salary as a Texas state legislator (about $7,200 a year), plus additional daily pay during legislative sessions.

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Texas Lieutenant Governor, Republican Primary

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