Dan Patrick: 'Blue Wave didn't make landfall'

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick in the Texas Senate (AP Photo/Eric Gay) Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick in the Texas Senate (AP Photo/Eric Gay) Photo: Eric Gay, STF Photo: Eric Gay, STF Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close Dan Patrick: 'Blue Wave didn't make landfall' 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

AUSTIN -- Coming off a primary election where Texas Democrats set a nearly quarter-century record for turnout, Republican Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick said Wednesday that a predicted Blue Wave against the GOP "never made landfall."

"We have been hearing for weeks in Texas and across the country that a great "blue wave" was coming to Texas. We were assaulted with predictions that our great state is trending Democrat," Patrick said in a statement on Tuesday's primary election.

"But the votes have been counted and we know that so-called "blue wave" never made landfall. 1.5 million Republicans voted and barely a million Democrats turned out.

"Texas is a bright red state with an engaged conservative majority who are committed to keeping Texas on a conservative path."

On Tuesday night, Texas Democratic Party Chair Gilberto Hinojosa had applauded the record Democratic turnout as a forecast of big wins over Republicans in NOvember.

"Our grassroots energy and enthusiasm are unmistakable, and Trump Republicans should be terrified," he said in a fundraising e-mail hours after the polls closed.

On Wednesday, Patrick poo-poohed that sentiment.

"The 2018 Republican Primary was a huge win for conservatives and the people of Texas," he said. "Voters made it clear that when it comes to liberty and freedom, border security, property tax relief, protection of the second amendment, protecting life and religious liberties, Texans won't back down.