2010: Dan Patrick Staying Put, Endorsing Combs

Forget what I said on this week's TribCast, parroting the chatter around the Capitol: State Senator Dan Patrick is not considering a primary challenge to his fellow Republican, Comptroller of Public Accounts Susan Combs. In fact, as he told me in an e-mail today, he's (1) filing for re-election to the Texas Senate the week of December 27, and (2) he's endorsing Combs for reelection. "First, I have never even thought about it," he says. "If it were an open seat and I was the only person asked to run for it, I would not. Second, I support Susan Combs. ... A simple phone call to me asking me about this rumor in advance would have ended any discussion before it started. I appreciate you giving me the opportunity to set the record straight."

Update: Patrick's endorsement of Combs:

"I am proud to endorse Susan Combs for re-election to the office of Texas Comptroller. We have developed a great working relationship over the past four years and I look forward to working with her in the future. In these challenging economic times, now more than ever before we need a Comptroller who we can trust.  We need a Comptroller who will represent the best interests of the state and the best interests of the taxpayers at the same time.  Susan Combs is that person."