Tarrant County Republican Judge Backs Democrat Texas Lieutenant Governor Candidate

TARRANT COUNTY (WBAP/KLIF News ) – A prominent Texas Republican local leader is backing the Democratic nominee for Texas Lieutenant Governor.

Tarrant County Judge Glen Whitley announced his support for Mike Collier as polls show a tightening 4-point race with incumbent Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick.

Whitley is the leader of the state’s largest GOP county. He told our media partner WFAA TV’s “Inside Texas Politics” the reason behind his decision.

“Mike is a bean counter like me. He worked for PriceWaterhouse. He also worked for Exxon so he understands the oil business. And i just think he’s someone who understands local control and that’s what I am looking for,” he said.

The outspoken Whitely highlighted his issues with Patrick over property taxes.

“Dan Patrick came on the scene in 2006 with Empower Texas, and since that point in time they’ve basically declared war on local elected officials. They’ve blamed local government for all the property tax problems when, in effect, they vowed that they were going to lower property taxes but of course they don’t have any property taxes at the state level,” he said.

Following the announcement Whitley and Patrick traded barbs about property taxes on social media.

It’s no surprise @Judge_Whitley, who made @TarrantCountyTX property taxes among the highest in TX, doesn’t get it. People are being taxed out of their homes by big spending local governments. Collier & Whitley are two-of-a-kind, tax hiking, big spenders.
— Dan Patrick (@DanPatrick) September 4, 2022

Lt Gov, you might want to check your numbers. Out of 254 counties in TX, only 6 collect less prop tax per citizen than Tarrant. If the state paid for its responsibilities, we’d be even lower. We need a leader who understands numbers & works with local officials to solve problems.
— Tarrant County Judge B. Glen Whitley (@judge_whitley) September 5, 2022

Mike Collier released a statement following Whitely’s endorsement.

“I am honored and proud to earn the support of Judge Glen Whitley, who has served the people of Tarrant County for more than a decade. We may be of different parties but we both care deeply about the people of Texas. As as Lt. Governor, I will be a partner with our cities and counties so that we can build a state where our children can have dreams as big as Texas,” he said. “Together, we will take back our state and build a better Texas.”