Senator John Cornyn may be exiting the Trump highway project, but another Texas Republican is stepping on the gas.
Less than a month after Cornyn proposed naming a major Texas highway after President Donald Trump, Rep. Jared Patterson of Frisco announced Thursday he plans to file a resolution next legislative session urging the North Texas Tollway Authority to rename the Dallas North Tollway as the “Donald J. Trump Tollway.”
“During the U.S. Senate primary, we heard a lot of talk from the losing candidate about honoring President Trump with a named highway,” Patterson wrote on X. “Apparently, the promise only held true when it was politically convenient.”
Patterson said his proposal would honor Trump’s economic policies and their impact on North Texas growth.
“Naming this iconic roadway after President Trump would be a lasting tribute to a President whose leadership helped fuel unprecedented growth and prosperity across our region,” he wrote.
The comments reference Cornyn’s legislation introduced in May that sought to designate a major U.S. highway as Interstate 47 in recognition of Trump, the nation’s 47th president. However, after losing the Republican Senate primary runoff to Attorney General Ken Paxton, Cornyn told Hearst Newspapers Wednesday the proposal may no longer rank among his priorities during his remaining months in office.
Asked about Patterson’s remarks Friday, a Cornyn spokesperson told Chron via email the senator remains focused on broader transportation policy.
“Our team has seven months left for legislative tasks, and the Senator will continue to work to make sure Texas has robust access to infrastructure funding for our highways and interstates, including through the upcoming surface transportation reauthorization bill,” the spokesperson said in a statement.
Rep. Jared Patterson, R-Frisco, wants to rename the North Texas Tollway Authority to the Dallas North Tollway as the “Donald J. Trump Tollway.” (Juan Figueroa/Dallas Morning News)
It’s unclear how far the bill would advance, but the quick pivot by another Republican lawmaker strongly suggests the effort to attach Trump’s name to a major Texas roadway may continue with or without Cornyn.
“I look forward to leading this effort-and my commitment is unwavering,” Patterson concluded.
More News
HPD | Houston mayor says city police force larger than ever
Expansion | 500-home community planned for Hockley near Houston
Revivals | Bed Bath & Beyond returns from the dead in Texas
Upgrades | Some of Houston’s most busted sidewalks are finally getting fixed
For the latest and best from Chron, sign up for our daily newsletter here.
This article originally published at Cornyn may be done with Trump’s highway. Another Texas Republican isn’t..