Patrick Vows to Make Texas a Leader for America

Tea party-backed state Sen. Dan Patrick has been elected Texas lieutenant governor and will oversee the state Senate.

Patrick finished first in a bitter four-way Republican primary before crushing 11-year incumbent David Dewhurst in a runoff.

Patrick said Texas must be a leader for America at a time the country must be a leader for the world.

The Houston Republican and state senator defeated Democratic Sen. Leticia Van de Putte on Tuesday. Patrick used his acceptance speech to touch on his campaign themes of supporting school vouchers and closing the border to illegal immigration.

Patrick said "Texas can be a servant to the world that is broken."

Patrick will preside over a Texas Senate with a strong Republican majority and has promised to keep pushing a conservative agenda on education and property tax cuts. He is a founder of the legislative tea party coalition.

A radio talk show host, Patrick also headed the Senate Education Committee. He's a fierce proponent of school vouchers and charter schools.

Patrick has taken a hard-line stance on immigration, promising to secure the Texas-Mexico border at the expense of popular, long-standing policies.

Democratic candidate Leticia Van de Putte speaks to supporters in San Antonio after she was defeated in the state lieutenant governor’s race Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2014.

Often confrontational, Patrick has vowed to cut property taxes but would consider raising sales taxes slightly.

Patrick will be working closely with Greg Abbott, who was projected the winner of the governor's race over challenger Wendy Davis early Tuesday night.