Dick Armey, TEXPAC Give Nods in Lt. Gov. Race

Another round of endorsements came Thursday in the Republican primary race for lieutenant governor — this time for Jerry Patterson, from former U.S. House Majority leader Dick Armey, and for incumbent David Dewhurst, from the Texas Medical Association.

Armey is Patterson's second high-profile personal endorsement this week. On Wednesday, former Congressman Ron Paul weighed in on behalf of the land commissioner. 

"Since retiring from public office, I have worked hard to support true conservatives who will fight back against the exploding growth of federal and state bureaucracy. Jerry Patterson is a true hero to Texas conservatives," Armey said in a statement. "He's a man who has always fought to expand liberty and limit the scope and power of government. He is exactly the man we need in Austin to fight for freedom and defend our Texas economy."

The nod from the Texas Medical Association's PAC, called TEXPAC, is the latest in a line of major state professional and business associations to line up in favor of Dewhurst, who secured the statewide homebuilders' association endorsement Monday. 

“Lt. Gov. Dewhurst values and welcomes the input of Texas physicians in developing health care policy for the state,” said the group's chairman, Jerry Hunsaker. "We know we can trust Lieutenant Governor Dewhurst to do the right thing for Texas’ patients and their physicians."

Two other candidates, Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples and state Sen. Dan Patrick, R-Houston, are also running in the primary against Dewhurst. The winner will face Democrat Leticia Van de Putte, a state senator from San Antonio, in November.

In other endorsement news, Texas Right to Life gave the thumbs up to Don Huffines in his Republican primary race for Senate District 16, calling him "the only true pro-life candidate in the race." Huffines, a real estate developer, is challenging incumbent John Carona for his Dallas-based seat.