Republican endorses Democrat challenger to Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick Scott Milder says Mike Collier opposes incumbent's 'irrational, out-of-touch politics'

Scott Milder Scott Milder Image 1 of / 3 Caption Close Republican endorses Democrat challenger to Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick 1 / 3 Back to Gallery

AUSTIN -- Scott Milder, who lost his Republican primary challenge to incumbent Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick two days ago, says he will vote for the Democrat running against Patrick in November to curb "irrational, out-of-touch politics."

In a Facebook post that he characterized not as a concession, "but rather an absolute victory speech,", Milder -- a longtime Republican and and well-known public education advocate -- said he plans to vote "for Republican candidates in every race with one exception.

"I cannot on good conscience vote for a man who I know to be a liar, nor can I vote for a man who willfully ignores and disrespects his legislative colleagues and his constituents," Milder said in the post. "I will be casting my vote for Mike Collier, the rational Democratic nominee for lieutenant governor, and will strongly encourage all Texans who voted for me in this race to cast their votes for Mr. Collier as well."

Such party-jumping endorsements are rare in Texas politics, especially with a Republican publicly endorsing a Democrat. In 1998, then-Lt. Gov. Bob Bullock surpised the Austin political establishment by endorsing Republican Gov. George W. Bush for reelection -- even though Bullock was godfather to a child of Bush's Democratic opponent at the time.

Neither Patrick nor his campaign spokesman, Allen Blakemore, could be reached for reaction to the endorsement.

Patrick defeated Milder in the GOP primary on Tuesday, capturing 76 percent of the vote.

Coillier told the Houston Chronicle on Thursday that he appreciates Milder's support, after a campaign in which they agreed on many of the issues including opposition to school vouchers. He said Milder may even campaign with him in coming weeks.

"It doesn't happen very often that a Republican endorses a Democrat, but public education groups recruited (Milder) to run against Patrick and he and I viewed proper funding of public education as very important," said Collier, a retired Kingwood CPA and business executive.

"I've already had a fair number of moderate Republican donors (to Milder's campaign) who have called and said they want to join me."