Midland, Texas – On Tuesday, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick visited Basin Aviation to rally West Texas voters as early voting begins for the November 3 general election. Speaking alongside state Sen. Kevin Sparks, Patrick emphasized the importance of turning out early and underscored the region’s role in powering the nation’s economy.
Early voting appeal
“We need Midland and this entire area watching to show up to vote,” Patrick told the gathered crowd. He reminded listeners that early voting runs through Oct. 30, urging residents to take advantage of the convenient window before Election Day.
Defending Texas energy
Energy policy dominated the discussion. Sen. Kevin Sparks warned that windmills and solar panels alone cannot meet Texas’s power needs. “When you look at what truly powers this economy, which we’re the 8th largest economy in the world, right? It’s oil and gas and we do it more environmentally responsibly than any other place in the world,” Sparks said.
Patrick echoed the sentiment, warning that a victory for his opponent, Rep. Vikki Goodwin, would jeopardize the state’s energy future. He criticized support for the Green New Deal and other proposals aimed at moving Texas away from its oil and gas foundation.
Rural health investment
Beyond energy, Patrick highlighted a $2.5 billion investment to expand health care in rural Texas. “We’re opening up six mental‑health care hospitals across rural Texas because we just didn’t have them,” he announced. New facilities are slated for Amarillo, a partnership in Midland‑Odessa, and Lubbock, with additional sites planned.
The lieutenant governor said the next stop on his tour is Lubbock, where he will continue to promote early voting and the administration’s health‑care initiatives.
What this means for Midland voters
Midland residents now have a clear call to action: head to their designated early‑voting sites before Oct. 30. By doing so, they can help preserve the energy jobs that sustain the local economy and support the expansion of mental‑health services that the administration promises to deliver.
For more information on early‑voting locations and hours, voters can visit the Texas Secretary of State’s website or contact their county clerk’s office.
Original reporting: CBS7 / First Alert 7 KOSA (Gray) — read the source article.
