Team Dewhurst Responds to Letter Circulated by Patrick Supporters

The following is a press release distributed by the David Dewhurst campaign:

AUSTIN – In response to a letter recently distributed by several of Senator Dan Patrick’s supporters, Eliza Vielma, spokeswoman for the David Dewhurst Campaign issued the following statement:

“We are extremely disappointed that various groups and organizations have decided to look past Sen. Patrick's history of being a deadbeat business owner to launch an unwarranted attack at Lt. Governor Dewhurst. Senator Patrick obviously is looking to shift the narrative away from the fact that he skipped out on $800,000 he owed creditors, the $13,186 worth of employee income tax withholding he pocketed, the 28 tax liens he has incurred for failing to pay state and federal taxes, and his stubborn refusal to provide even a modicum of transparency by releasing his tax returns.”

“David Dewhurst stands by his comments. Senator Patrick has a long history of making sexist and racist remarks. As a radio host, the Senator used racial slurs to demean accomplished journalist and anchor Connie Chung, calling her show “Slanted Eye to Eye.” He has suggested that the talented anchors of Fox News owe their success to beauty and sex appeal rather than intelligence and journalistic acumen, and Senator Patrick refuses to disassociate himself from his chief campaign advisor who launched a PAC that his company chose to name ‘Boats N’ Hoes.’”

“Voters all over our great state are continuing to learn why Dan Patrick is wrong for Texas.”

FACT: “Dan Patrick skipped out on $800,000 he owed creditors.”

• Patrick “Listed More Than $816,000 In Debts And Just Over $104,00 In Assets” When He Filed For Bankruptcy. “In October 1986, Patrick filed for bankruptcy under his birth name, Dannie Scott Goeb. (He legally changed it to Dan Patrick, his on-air name, years later.) He listed more than $816,000 in debts and just over $104,000 in assets.” (Terrence Stutz And Robert Garrett, “Lieutenant Governor Candidate Dan Patrick Knows Struggles Of Going Broke,” Dallas Morning News, 9/19/13)
• In May 1987 Patrick Was Discharged From More Than 50 Debts Including “Local Businesses And Even The Hospital And Doctor Who Were Owed $10,000 For Medical Care Received By Patrick’s Son.” “In May 1987 a federal bankruptcy judge proposed to discharge him from his more than 50 other debts. They included banks, Dallas developer Trammel Crow, utility companies, local businesses and even the hospital and doctor who were owed $10,000 for medical care received by Patrick’s son, Ryan.” (Terrence Stutz And Robert Garrett, “Lieutenant Governor Candidate Dan Patrick Knows Struggles Of Going Broke,” Dallas Morning News, 9/19/13)

FACT: “Dan Patrick pocketed $13,186 worth of his employees payroll taxes.”

• Patrick Owed The IRS $13,186 “In Federal Income Taxes Withheld From His Restaurant Employees’ Paychecks.” “Among his (Patrick’s) debtors was the Internal Revenue Service, which Patrick owed $13,186 in federal income taxes withheld from his restaurant employees’ paychecks.” (Terrence Stutz And Robert Garrett, “Lieutenant Governor Candidate Dan Patrick Knows Struggles Of Going Broke,” Dallas Morning News, 9/19/13)

FACT: “Senator Patrick has a long history of making sexist and racist remarks.”

• Patrick referred to Connie Chung’s show as “Slanted Eye to Eye” “As with so many other things in his life, Patrick threw himself obsessively into his walk with Christ, becoming an active participant in Bible study (not so obsessively, however, that he could keep himself out of hot water. In 1993 he drew ire and a front-page story in the Post when he labeled Connie Chung’s program Eye to Eye as Slanted Eye to Eye.” (Mimi Swartz, “Here Comes Trouble,” Texas Monthly, 01/07)
• Patrick believes Fox News formula consists of “beautiful skirt-wearing women.” “Beautiful women who wear skirts not behind a desk. I mean really…you know? They cross their legs very tightly and sit on a tall stool. That’s part of the presentation.” (David Rauf, “Dan Patrick’s Fox News formula: conservative opinions, good guests and ‘beautiful’ skirt-wearing women,” San Antonio Express-News, 10/4/13)
• Chief campaign advisor to Dan Patrick launched a PAC named “Boats ‘N Hoes” “Nowacki is listed as comptroller for Blakemore and Associates Consulting Firm, whose namesake, Allen Blakemore, is the “senior strategist” for Republican Dan Patrick's lieutenant governor campaign” (Kolten Parker, "Texas ‘Boats ’N Hoes PAC’ raising controversy,” San Antonio Express-News, 4/16/14)