George P. Bush Draws Unlikely GOP Challenger From Predecessor

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AUSTIN (AP) — Former Texas Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson is making the unusual move of running again for his old office against his successor and fellow Republican George P. Bush.

George P. Bush speaks during the 2011 Republican Leadership Conference on June 18, 2011 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The 2011 Republican Leadership Conference features keynote addresses from most of the major republican candidates for president as well as numerous republican leaders from across the country. (credit: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

Patterson said Friday that he's entering the Republican primary. He ran unsuccessfully for lieutenant governor in 2014 and endorsed Bush for land commissioner that year.

But Patterson has since criticized Bush's cutting hundreds of jobs at the powerful agency and his leading of a $450 million Alamo revamp that included restoring historical structures, closing streets and building a new museum.

(credit: Jerry Patterson)

Patterson has joined conservative activists in worrying that the 1836 Battle of the Alamo will be marginalized by "political correctness," with less-desirable aspects of participants' history "sanitized."

Bush's grandfather and uncle are former presidents. His dad ran unsuccessfully for president last year.