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Accusations flew as Lieutenant Governor David Dewhurst squared off against his challenger, state Senator Dan Patrick. The two Republicans met Friday night in a debate that was broadcast statewide by Houston Public Media.
Dewhurst has been Lt Governor since 2003, but he finished 13 points behind the Tea Party favorite in March’s Republican primary.
In their Houston debate, Dewhurst and Patrick touted their conservative credentials on issues such as
abortion, healthcare, and gun rights. But some of the most pointed accusations were launched when the question turned to immigration.
Patrick says he’ll make border security a top priority.
“We must secure our border, and those who are here are caught in limbo, whether they are students in school or they are workers. We need to address that situation but we cannot do it until we have a lieutenant governor who will secure the border and under this lieutenant governor it has not been done.”
Dewhurst was quick to fire back, saying the numbers show something different when it comes to securing the border.
“I’m proud that since 2007 I have led the Senate. We have appropriated $800 million. We’ve got high-altitude aircraft. We’ve got helicopters and boats.”
The two men head into a runoff election May 27. The winner goes on to face Democratic state Senator Leticia Van de Putte in November’s general election.
En vivo: #debate entre @DavidHDewhurst y @DanPatrick http://t.co/HPNadVO2cd #txvotes pic.twitter.com/2zTpDZFyZ7
— lavozhouston (@lavozhouston) May 3, 2014
