The chief strategist for former Republican President George W. Bush, Matthew Dowd, announced he'd be running for Texas Lieutenant Governor against incumbent Dan Patrick, whose embrace of far-right agendas has divided the increasingly purple state.
What's more, Dowd is running as a Democrat, an unexpected move for someone who led a successful presidential campaign for a member of the Lone Star State's most powerful Republican political dynasty.
In his announcement video, Dowd lambasted Patrick and vowed to prioritize "common decency for the common good."
Watch below.
Dowd for Texas from Fawaz Anwar on Vimeo.
Dowd says in the video:
"The GOP politicians have failed us, especially the cruel and craven Lieutenant Governor. Dan Patrick has been lying, deceiving, fracturing the bonds we share and endangering all our lives. He does not believe in the common good. He seeks only to represent himself and the five percent of the state that goes along with all of this He puts his me over our we."
Texas has come under national scrutiny not just because of the draconian abortion law that recently went into effect, but also for its policies banning common sense safety initiatives designed to slow the spread of COVID-19.
Dowd invoked this as well:
"With COVID-19 taking thousands of Texans' lives, Dan Patrick didn't respond to it based on science and prevented local officials from doing the things they needed to do to keep their communities safe."
After the scathing ad recapped the litany of Patrick's failures, Dowd concluded:
""Enough is enough. We need more officials who tell the truth, who believe in public services, in common sense with common decency for the common good. ... We need to expect more from our politicians. Dan Patrick believes in none of those and that is why I am running for the powerful office of lieutenant governor of this great state."
Social media users vowed to support Dowd's effort.
In 1990 @matthewjdowd worked with us to elect my mother Ann Richards Governor of Texas. He believes in public service and that government should serve people - and he\u2019s running for Lt. Governor. This is great news for all Texans. https://twitter.com/matthewjdowd/status/1443162985858490369\u00a0\u2026— Cecile Richards (@Cecile Richards) 1632914165
Oh wow!!! What great news to wake up to. Let's do this!!https://twitter.com/matthewjdowd/status/1443162985858490369\u00a0\u2026— The "J" Beat (@The "J" Beat) 1632920074
Really happy to support this! \n\nThank you, @matthewjdowd, for taking on this challenge.https://twitter.com/matthewjdowd/status/1443162985858490369\u00a0\u2026— (((Howard Forman))) (@(((Howard Forman)))) 1632920055
This is the kind of person we need in politics. Not the current crop of career politicians out for themselves. Will help from AZ & hope we find like minded candidates here. Proud member of #DowdCrowdhttps://twitter.com/matthewjdowd/status/1443162985858490369\u00a0\u2026— P\u1d00\u1d1b B\u1d07\u0274\u0274\u1d07\u1d1b\u1d1b - \u2764\ufe0f \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8 \ud83d\udc99 \ud83c\udf0e (@P\u1d00\u1d1b B\u1d07\u0274\u0274\u1d07\u1d1b\u1d1b - \u2764\ufe0f \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8 \ud83d\udc99 \ud83c\udf0e) 1632920176
Wow. And good for Matt. He has been a consistent voice of moral clarity in a political world where people are often too focused on what the polls say.https://twitter.com/matthewjdowd/status/1443162985858490369\u00a0\u2026— Perry Bacon Jr. (@Perry Bacon Jr.) 1632913920
They called on others to support him as well.
1. Texas has an opportunity to elect a good and decent man, my friend @matthewjdowd. Please support him. 2. We need better elected officials if we are going to fix America . Dan Patrick is beyond awful. 3.Dowd would be great. 4. I\u2019m sending a check today. Let\u2019s win.https://twitter.com/matthewjdowd/status/1443162985858490369\u00a0\u2026— Steve Schmidt (@Steve Schmidt) 1632919316
Quality, Qualified, Dedicated! \nLet\u2019s donate!!! We can do this Twitter!!https://twitter.com/matthewjdowd/status/1443162985858490369\u00a0\u2026— Polly Papaya (@Polly Papaya) 1632912059
Texas and Twitter friends, @matthewjdowd is one of the smartest and the most decent people I\u2019ve ever met in politics. Please help in with his race any way you can. Link below to donate.https://twitter.com/matthewjdowd/status/1443162985858490369\u00a0\u2026— Jay Rouse (@Jay Rouse) 1632914315
Let us get to work and help Matthew Dowd!https://twitter.com/matthewjdowd/status/1443162985858490369\u00a0\u2026— PoliCyn (@PoliCyn) 1632913897
It will certainly be an uphill battle, but Dowd insists he's up for the challenge.
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