Pauken Endorses Patterson in Lt. Gov. Race

Former Republican gubernatorial hopeful Tom Pauken said on Monday that he would back Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson's bid for lieutenant governor.

Pauken, who served as chairman of the Texas Workforce Commission from 2008 to 2012, had been a declared candidate for the 2014 governor's race. But he ended his campaign shortly before the filing deadline. In a statement endorsing Patterson, Pauken praised his work on gun rights and veterans' issues.

"His style of leadership not only grows legislative success — it grows our conservative movement," Pauken said of Patterson. "Jerry is a man who I trust will remain solely focused on serving Texas, limiting the size and scope of government and bringing Texans together for the good of our country."

Last week, Patterson announced two other personal endorsements: from former Congressman Ron Paul, R-Surfside, and former U.S. House Majority Leader Dick Armey, a Republican who represented the Dallas-Fort Worth area from 1985 to 2003.

Patterson, state Sen. Dan Patrick and Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples are running to unseat incumbent David Dewhurst in the March 4 GOP primary.