One of these people is masquerading as a flamboyant beaver. Photo from Dan Patrick Facebook.
A day after Patrick posted photos of him and the store mascot with a long message thanking the roadside stop for supporting his campaign, the San Antonio U.S. Rep fired off a Tweet indicating a boycott: "Won't gas up there anymore since they support a fear mongering immigrant basher."
He later Tweeted, "Wonder how Bucees patrons in Freeport, Lake Jackson stores feel abt their endrsmnt of DP who spoke abt immigrants bringing diseases to TX." (For context, in 2006 Patrick told a Houston crowd illegal immigrants, "are bringing Third World diseases with them,” citing “tuberculosis, malaria, polio and leprosy.”)
But Buc-ee's attorneys say they don't do candidate endorsements, lending Castro a little relief.
“It’s unfortunate that Dan Patrick misrepresented his support from Buc-ee’s. Initially, I was disappointed that a great company that serves all Texans would lend its corporate brand to a candidate that has a clear record of fear mongering and immigrant bashing," he said in an e-mailed statement sent to the Current.
"I was happy to hear that a Bucc-ee’s spokesperson clarified Dan Patrick’s misleading endorsement announcement by stating unequivocally, ‘Buc-ee’s is not supporting any candidate.’ When I read that, I was relieved to find out that the company itself is not lending it’s support to the kind of divisive politics that has no place in Texas. Buc-ee’s knows what most Texans know, that immigrants are good for business and great for Texas.”
It wouldn't be the first time a Castro took to social media to sound off on Patrick's views about the border. An ongoing Twitter feud between brother Julian Castro and Patrick erupted when the SA Mayor compared the conservative politician to former governor of California, Pete Wilson, a champion of anti-immigrant policy.
