Assclown of the Year: Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick is an utter embarrassment to Texas

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has long wielded his power in the Texas Capital like a cudgel, using procedural maneuvers to grant himself ever more control of the state Senate and sidelining those who don’t step in line with a far-right agenda steeped in homophobia, immigrant bashing and white nationalism. So empowered, Patrick has tried to force through some of the most extreme right-wing legislation in the history of the state. Sometimes he's met with success, as with Texas’ cruel six-week abortion ban, others he's been shot down in the more moderate House, as with his bill that would have barred transgender people from public restrooms.