‘I’m all in’: Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick announces 2026 reelection campaign

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick said he has heard of people speculating that he would not run for reelection. On Tuesday afternoon, he made it clear that he will run again, making an official announcement to launch his 2026 campaign.

“I’m all in. I’ve always been all in,” Patrick said. He made the announcement surrounded by several Republican state senators.

In a news release sent shortly after the announcement, Patrick said, “I’m ready to hit the ground running for my re-election. With the help of my Texas Senate, we’ve accomplished so much, but there is more work to be done.”

“This Session, we have virtually eliminated school property taxes for the average senior for the rest of their life and cut school property taxes nearly in half for those under 65. I’m committed to continuing to lower property taxes in the Sessions ahead. We must continue to build a stronger, safer, and more prosperous Texas for generations to come,” Patrick said.

Before Tuesday, it was not immediately clear if Patrick would seek reelection, after he was tapped to chair President Donald Trump’s new commission on religious liberty back in May, according to The Texas Tribune.

This was part of the Trump administration’s push to “bring back religion,” to the U.S. It was also Patrick who “approached Trump with the idea for the commission,” which President Trump noted during his speech in May.

Patrick also touted “a major media buy covering all 20 media markets across Texas through broadcast, cable, and streaming services” as part of his campaign kick-off, the release said. During the news conference, Patrick said his campaign bank account will have $40 to $45 million available.

“I’ve never seen a more ambitious campaign kickoff in Texas,” Allen Blakemore, Texans for Dan Patrick senior strategist, said in the release. “Launching a statewide media buy in all 20 markets, with broadcast, cable, and streaming media, certainly is laying a marker down. Lt. Governor Patrick and the Senate candidates are running to continue to deliver a bold conservative vision for Texas. It’s an exciting milestone that shows the strength and momentum behind our campaign.”