A Republican lawmaker from North Texas is bragging about being Democrats’ “favorite freshman” due to his “relationships” with leadership.
During a Legislative Recap hosted by the Frisco Chamber of Commerce, freshman State Rep. Jared Patterson (R–Frisco) shockingly told those in attendance that despite being ranked the “eighth most conservative member in the House” and representing a conservative area, he was receiving high praise from liberal Democrats.
“When the Democrats [were asked] who their favorite freshman was in the Texas House, I had a chairman tell me that they said it was me,” Patterson told the audience. He said the comment was made by State Rep. Mary Gonzales (D–El Paso), who he referred to as “one of my best friends in the Texas House.”
Gonzales is one of the chamber’s most liberal members and a founding member of the Texas House LGBT caucus.
Patterson also praised Speaker Dennis Bonnen heavily during the event, saying his leadership as well as the leadership of “Republican and Democrat” committee chairs allowed the House to accomplish “big things” during the recent legislative session.
When it came to Bonnen’s backroom offer to Empower Texans CEO Michael Quinn Sullivan and the ensuing investigation by the Texas House General Investigating Committee, Patterson demurred, saying he had not listened to the tape and had no plans to do so.
