Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick unveils committee assignments with one Democratic chair

Sen. John Whitmire, D-Houston, was the only Democrat appointed by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick to chair a committee. Whitmire is the longest-serving senator in the chamber, having served consecutively since 1983. (Credit: Sophie Park/The Texas Tribune)

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick on Monday announced Senate committee assignments, keeping his key lieutenants in leadership positions. And despite pressure from conservative GOP activists to ban members of the minority party from leading committees, Patrick reappointed Democrat John Whitmire to chair the Senate Criminal Justice Committee.

In a statement, Patrick, who presides over the Senate, said the committee assignments would “ensure we succeed in addressing the priorities of the people of Texas.” In an acknowledgement of the debate over appointing Democratic lawmakers to positions of power, Patrick said: “The overwhelming majority of bills voted on by the chamber will have bipartisan support. But make no mistake, the priority bills will address the concerns of the conservative majority in Texas.”