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Republican brawl for lite guv keeping Truth-O-Meter busy

By W. Gardner Selby
October 7, 2013

Todd Staples says he won’t go out for drinks during critical Texas Senate floor debates, a jab at Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst’s actions one night in July.

For his part, Dewhurst says he’s the only state officeholder who’s a businessman.

Meantime, state Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson, another Republican running for lieutenant governor, says the abortion legislation that ultimately passed into law this year was supported by a majority of Texans.

And Dan Patrick, a Houston state senator also seeking the GOP nod for lite guv, says the latest state budget cut border security and funding to fight border gangs.

Each of these claims did not rate True on the Texas Truth-O-Meter, which might get a good workout from this four-way fray leading to the March 2014 primary.

See all our fact checks related to the 2014 lieutenant governor’s race here. (Bonus: Peek at Democratic state Sen. Leticia Van de Putte’s Truth-O-Meter report card here; she has said she’s mulling a run for lite guv.)

Even better, look to the right to see the last few fact checks tied to this near-marquee race.

What else?

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More by W. Gardner Selby
Donald Trump
stated on October 22, 2018 in a rally for Republican candidates in Houston:
Says Beto O’Rourke "voted to shield MS-13 gang members from deportation."
Mostly False
Ted Cruz
stated on September 21, 2018 in a debate at Southern Methodist University:
Says Beto O’Rourke described police as "modern-day Jim Crow."
Mostly False
Beto O'Rourke
stated on September 21, 2018 in a debate at Southern Methodist University:
Says he "did not try to leave the scene of the accident" that led to his arrest for driving while intoxicated.
Mostly False
Ken Paxton
stated on August 26, 2018 in an interview on Fox & Friends:
Says Texas has "had over 600,000 crimes committed by illegals since 2011. Over 1,200 homicides."  
Pants on Fire!
Ted Cruz
stated on August 28, 2018 in an online video ad:
Says Beto O’Rourke "voted against" Hurricane Harvey "tax relief."
Mostly True
M.J. Hegar
stated on August 21, 2018 in an interview on Spectrum Cable's "Capital Tonight":
Says U.S. Rep. John Carter "hasn’t held a town hall in five years."
Mostly True
Beto O'Rourke
stated on July 26, 2018 in an ad in the Houston Defender:
Says "black Americans have 10 times less wealth than white Americans."
Mostly True

Republican brawl for lite guv keeping Truth-O-Meter busy

Jon Ossoff
stated on June 27, 2026 in a campaign speech:









Donald Trump
stated on June 23, 2026 in a speech in Macungie, Pennsylvania:

David Jolly
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