Why Dan Patrick Won’t be at Trump’s Acceptance Speech Tonight

Trump Texas Victory Chair Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick will not be in attendance when President Donald Trump gives his GOP nomination acceptance speech this evening. Patrick, who has been leading the Texas delegation at this week’s Republican National Convention, has returned to Texas, citing Hurricane Laura as the reason.

“While I was deeply honored by the White House invitation to President Donald J. Trump’s acceptance speech tomorrow night, the safety of the people of Texas is always my first priority,” according to a statement issued Wednesday by Patrick’s office.

Patrick, Gov. Greg Abbott, U.S. Sen. John Cornyn and Texas House Speaker Dennis Bonnen were expected to tour the damage Laura wreaked in southeast Texas Thursday. 

Earlier this week, Patrick predicted Trump will expand on his 9-point win over Hillary Clinton in Texas four years ago. The polling does not indicate that at all. 

A new poll released by the firm Public Policy Polling earlier this week shows Democratic nominee for president Joe Biden ahead of Trump by 1 percentage point (48-47), with the strongest gains among minorities, women and voters with a four-year college education or higher. This is the sixth poll out of the last eight to show Biden ahead of Trump in Texas.