Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick is issuing a stark warning to his fellow Republicans: stop the destructive infighting or watch Democrats steal victories in what should be safe conservative territory.
Patrick's wake-up call comes as two prominent Republicans are locked in an increasingly nasty and expensive battle for the U.S. Senate seat currently held by John Cornyn. The bitter primary runoff between incumbent Senator Cornyn and Attorney General Ken Paxton has turned into exactly the kind of circular firing squad that Democrats dream about.
"We're going to have a tough time holding the Texas House," Patrick warned, according to the Texas Tribune. His message is crystal clear: while Republicans tear each other apart, the radical left is organizing and fundraising to flip Texas blue.
The Real Enemy Isn't Each Other
Patrick's concerns go beyond just one Senate race. The lieutenant governor understands what too many Republicans seem to have forgotten – every dollar spent attacking fellow conservatives is a dollar not spent defeating the Democrats who want to turn Texas into California.
The May 26 runoff between Cornyn and Paxton represents more than just a choice between candidates. It's become a test of whether Texas Republicans can unite behind conservative principles or will hand gift-wrapped victories to Democrats through their own self-destructive behavior.
"Whoever loses the runoff needs to immediately rally behind the winner," said one Texas GOP strategist who requested anonymity. "We can't afford to have sore losers sitting out the general election."
This warning should send shockwaves through every conservative who assumed Texas would remain reliably red forever. Demographics are shifting, and massive out-of-state liberal money is pouring in to flip the state that represents the heart of American conservatism.
Time for Unity, Not Circular Firing Squads
Patrick's message comes at a critical moment when President Trump's agenda needs strong conservative allies in Congress. The last thing the America First movement needs is Republicans handing Senate seats to Democrats because they can't stop fighting each other.
Texas patriots need to ask themselves: Do we want to preserve conservative values and support President Trump's second-term agenda, or do we want to hand Chuck Schumer and the radical left more power through our own stupidity? The choice – and the consequences – couldn't be clearer.