Gas station’s beaver mascot announces neutrality after Texas congressman’s threats

HOUSTON (Legal Newsline) – Following the announcement that a U.S. congressman would boycott Buc-ee’s for endorsing a Republican running for Texas lieutenant governor, a spokesperson for the super-sized gas station chain said that Buc-ee’s does not endorse any candidates.

As previously reported, on March 9, Texas state Sen. Dan Patrick, who will square off against incumbent Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst in the May 27 Republican runoff, posted a picture on Facebook with him posing with the chain’s beaver mascot, saying he is “very proud to have the support of Buc-ee.”

After learning about Patrick’s Facebook picture and post, Joaquin Castro, a Democrat, tweeted that he “Won’t gas up there anymore since they support a fear mongering immigrant basher.”

On Friday, Patrick responded by firing back with a tweet of his own, saying, “Who would win a debate? Buc-ee or (Castro).”

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The lieutenant governor-hopeful even went so far as to post a picture on his campaign website depicting the congressman debating Buc-ee the mascot.

According to an article in the Star-Telegram, Buc-ee’s company lawyer Jeff Nadalo said last Tuesday that the owners were endorsing Patrick personally and that Buc-ee’s is not supporting any candidate.

Castro relented on his personal boycott of Buc-ee’s following the statement.

Patrick, a Houston conservative radio jockey, walloped Dewhurst in the March 4 primary, capturing 550,769 votes for 41.45 percent of the total vote – exceeding Dewhurst’s 28.31 percent vote total.

Buc-ee’s is owned by Arch “Beaver” Aplin III and Don Wasek and is headquartered in Lake Jackson, Texas.

From Legal Newsline: Reach David Yates at elections@legalnewsline.com.