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Call for Buc-ee's Boycott After Owners Endorse Dan Patrick

flickr.com/jenniferwoodardmaderazo
Texas convenience store chain Buc-ee's has waded into controversy with its owners' endorsement of Dan Patrick for Lieutenant Governor.

Buc-ee's, the Texas convenience store known for their clean restrooms andbeaver mascot, is now the subject of a boycott.

U.S. Congressman Joaquin Castro, D-San Antonio, is encouraging a boycott after owners of the business endorsed Republican State Sen. Dan Patrick for Lieutenant Governor.

Castro sent a tweet saying he won't gas up there because Patrick is a "fear mongering immigrant basher:" 

The tweet was prompted by a Facebook post from Patrick trumpeting his support from Buc-ee's founders Arch "Beaver" Aplin III & Don Wasek. " I love entrepreneurs and Don … and Beaver … are two of the best we have in Texas. They have created a great business by responding to what customers want and doing it better than anyone else in their industry," Patrick wrote.

Patrick also took the time to pose with Buc'ee the Beaver himself: 

See the post by Dan Patrick.

Buc-ee's attorney Jeff Nadalo tells KUT the owners of the business are speaking for themselves, not on behalf of the business.

"Buc-ees would hope that the political positions of its employees and others working within the organization would have no impact on where its customers choose to purchase their Beaver Nuggets and gasoline."

Patrick is facing incumbent Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst in a Republican primary May 27.

Nathan Bernier is the transportation reporter at KUT. He covers the big projects that are reshaping how we get around Austin, like the I-35 overhaul, the airport's rapid growth and the multibillion dollar transit expansion Project Connect. He also focuses on the daily changes that affect how we walk, bike and drive around the city. Got a tip? Email him at nbernier@kut.org. Follow him on Twitter @KUTnathan.
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