LAND COMMISSIONER
Patterson, who once led the Land Office, didn’t sway voters
Incumbent George P. Bush appears to have locked up the Republican race for land commissioner.
AUSTIN — Land Commissioner George P. Bush handily won the Republican primary, edging past former commissioner Jerry Patterson and two other candidates in contentious race for the Texas General Land Office.
With final ballots being counted statewide, Bush held a sizable lead over Patterson, who did appear to have enough votes to force a run-off.
The victory is affirmation for the 41-year-old incumbent whose record was vigorously attacked by his political opponents, with some declaring Tuesday’s election the possible end of the Bush political dynasty.
Instead, the results proved that Bush, a scion of the Bush family and son of former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, still had strong support among Texas Republicans.
"It's an overwhelming evening," Bush told reporters at his campaign party in Austin. "It's an incredible opportunity to build upon the great work we have done in the last three years at the Land Office."
Jeb Bush was in Austin celebrating his son’s victory.
“It’s good to be tested, and he won with a sizable majority without a runoff,” Jeb Bush told a reporter. “I am proud of him.”
Now George P. Bush's attention will turn to defeating his Democratic opponent, energy attorney Miguel Suazo, who beat Tex Morgan in the Democratic primary.
Bush, elected easily in 2014, faced a fierce race for the Texas General Land Office, a relatively unknown state agency tasked with managing state-owned lands, raising money for schools through oil and gas leases and helping communities recover from a natural disaster.
In all, six candidates — four Republicans and two Democrats — ran for a chance to lead the office and unseat Bush. In Texas, only the governor’s race drew more statewide candidates in the primary.
In the first test of his young political career, Bush was hit with intense opposition from Patterson, who led the Land Office for 12 years before stepping down to make an unsuccessful bid for lieutenant governor in 2014.
Increasing attacks
Patterson, 71, decided to challenge Bush late last year after accusing him of mishandling the duties of one of the state’s most critical agencies. Patterson criticized Bush’s handling of housing recovery efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey and he accused Bush of bungling the preservation of the Alamo and the redevelopment of the area around the landmark.
Patterson said he was disappointed in Tuesday’s results, but said the campaign forced Bush to make changes in the Land Office.
"The bloom is off the Bush rose,” Patterson said. “There is some transparency that finally emerged at the Alamo after we made that an issue. And there are 5,000 people who got temporary emergency repairs after we made that an issue."
Patterson said given the chance to do something differently, he would have started his campaign earlier.
In the days leading up to Tuesday’s primary, Patterson and Bush intensified their attacks against one another on social media, in political ads and the press.
Bush, 41, armed with millions in political cash, spent more than $2 million in recent weeks selling the message that he is a staunch conservative who has managed the “most effective” Land Office in the history of Texas.
He touted an endorsement from President Donald Trump and Donald Trump Jr., and promoted his early support for the president.
Patterson, Edwards and Range attended dozens of forums and rallies around the state selling their message that it was time to “boot” Bush.
Bush, on the other hand, stayed out of public rallies and forums, choosing to quietly campaign at private events that often were not open to the public. Bush defended his lack of public campaigning by saying he was focused on doing his job as land commissioner.
Questions over Alamo
But some have raised questions about that record, and not just those looking to oust Bush. State lawmakers have slammed Bush for putting the management of the Alamo under three nonprofits that are often shrouded in secrecy.
The agency has also been marked by its slow response to Hurricane Harvey. Six months after the storm, the Associated Press found efforts to provide short-term housing and emergency repairs have lagged well behind previous post-disaster efforts in other states.
The Bush campaign has largely dismissed those as “baseless” from political enemies. Suazo, meanwhile, said he is excited to show Texans his credentials to run an effective Land Office.
“Bush can keep bragging about being endorsed by Trump,” Suazo said. “I am proud to be endorsed by the people of Texas.”