Dan Goeb Patrick (born Dannie Scott Goeb on April 4, 1950, in Baltimore, Maryland) is an American conservative politician, radio talk show host, and former television broadcaster who currently serves as the Republican Lieutenant Governor of Texas. After building a successful media career in Houston following his 1979 relocation from Maryland, including hosting sports and conservative talk radio shows and owning a chain of sports memorabilia stores, he legally changed his name to Dan Patrick in 1985. Entering politics in the early 2000s, he served in the Texas House of Representatives (2007-2011) and Texas State Senate (2013-2015) before being elected as the 42nd Lieutenant Governor of Texas in 2014, defeating incumbent David Dewhurst in the Republican primary. He has been reelected in 2018 and 2022. As the second-highest-ranking official in Texas, he presides over the Texas Senate and plays a key role in setting the legislative agenda under Governor Greg Abbott. Known for his staunch conservative positions, he advocates for strict immigration policies, school choice, opposition to same-sex marriage and abortion, border security, education reform, and Second Amendment rights. His tenure has been marked by controversies including his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, promotion of conspiracy theories about the 2020 election, and criticism of his business past and inflammatory rhetoric on social issues.