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Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick says he "absolutely" plans to run for reelection in 2026, reversing earlier comments that his current term would be his last. Patrick made the statement on Tuesday at a daylong conference in Austin hosted by a state political news site. He defeated Democrat Mike Collier by double digits last year to win a third term, which he had earlier said would be his final one. Patrick's change of position especially affects a number of Texas Republicans who have been waiting for a statewide office to open up.