It’s rare for a state elected official to invest time and money to defeat a local ballot issue, but Texas Lt. Governor Dan Patrick had no trouble crossing that line.
Lt. Governor Dan Patrick is no stranger to Texas politics. The Tea Party Republican former state senator and current conservative radio host decided to cross the line and work very publicly to oppose Houston’s Equal Rights Ordinance, investing time and money, he said, to defeat it.
When it was clear voters (only one quarter of Houston’s electorate bothered to show up to vote) had soundly defeated HERO Tuesday night, Patrick issued a scathing press release before heading for the cameras and victory parties.
Calling HERO “the bathroom ordinance” in his press release, Patrick thanked voters whom he claimed “turned out in record numbers.”
“The voters clearly understand that this proposition was never about equality – that is already the law,” Patrick falsely stated. Texas does not have a nondiscrimination law that protects LGBT people. “It was about allowing men to enter women’s restrooms and locker rooms – defying common sense and decency.”
Patting himself on the back for crossing lines generally respected in state and local politics, Patrick said he “took a leadership role in fighting this misguided ballot proposition because we have to stand up to this kind of pandering to political correctness.”
WATCH:Â Houston Mayor Annise Parker Delivers Awesomely Hard-Hitting And Honest HERO Concession Speech
And he called it “unfortunate that liberals like Annise Parker are so out of touch with the people of Houston that something like this shows up on the ballot.”
“The supporters of this proposition brought in movie stars and elites from Washington, DC and Hollywood to try to force their twisted agenda on the good people of Texas. It didn’t work and advocates of this ridiculous proposal are on notice tonight that the voters of Houston will not stand for this kind of liberal nonsense.”
Meanwhile, for the news media (video above), Patrick stood before the cameras and went even further, denigrating Mayor Annise Parker and the entire LGBT community of Houston.
Patrick praised the “team effort” of “everyone who understands common sense and common decency.”
“I’m so proud of the voters of this city who turned out in record numbers, two out of three, telling those who supported this including Hillary Clinton who wants to be the next president, that you’re out of touch with America, you’re out of touch with you’re own party, you’re out of touch with common sense, you’re out of touch with common decency and I’m glad Houston led tonight to end this constant political correctness attack on what we know in our heart and our gut as Americans is not right.”
“I’m disappointed that the mayor could not be gracious tonight. I’m disappointed that in her waning hours of being in office she still divisive.”
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EARLIER:
Houston Voters Reject HERO After Despicable ‘Bathroom’ Scare Campaign
Houston’s HERO Equal Rights Ordinance Will Likely Fail – And Big
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Image via The Bishop/Twitter