Texas Lt Governor pledges $1m to 'voter fraud whistleblowers' in move described as 'big win' by Donald Trump
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The Republican Lieutenant Governor of Texas is set to pay up to $1 million from his campaign to investigate voter fraud, a move described by Donald Trump as a “big win”.
Governor Dan Patrick announced the financial incentive on Tuesday in the hope that it would encourage "whistleblowers and tipsters" to come forward from anywhere in the country.
Over the last week President Trump has continuously questioned the Presidential Election result, arguing widespread voter fraud or irregularities in how ballots were counted, despite failing to reveal any evidence to support his claims.
Governor Patrick is the latest Republican politician to back Mr Trump’s “commitment” to investigating the issue, describing it as “essential” to maintaining the nation’s “democracy and restoring faith in future elections”.
“I support President Trump’s efforts to identify voter fraud in the presidential election and his commitment to making sure that every legal vote is counted and every illegal vote is disqualified,” Governor Patrick said in a statement.
“Whistleblowers and tipsters should turn over their evidence to local law enforcement,” he added.
If such information leads to an arrest and final conviction, those who provided the initial information will be paid a minimum of $25,000, he said.
The statement did not go unnoticed by the president, who took to Twitter on Tuesday night to acknowledge Governor Patrick’s commitment.
“Thanks Dan. Big win for us in Texas!” Mr Trump wrote.
Amid the president’s baseless claims, numerous complaints and legal action have been filed in courts across the United States.
As of yet, no court has confirmed the allegations or made any decision affecting the election results.
Though Mr Trump has the backing of many Republicans others have sought to distance themselves.
Chris Christie, the Republican former governor of New Jersey and close friend of Mr Trump, said the president must back up his claims that the election was stolen.
"If your basis for not conceding is that there was voter fraud, then show us. We can't back you blindly without evidence," Mr Christie told ABC.
