Patek represented the 7th district, including portions of Carroll, Linn and Livingston counties, in the Missouri House of Representatives for three terms, from 1997 to 2001. He also served as a military police officer in the Missouri National Guard during his tenure.[3][4]
In 2003, Patek formed political lobbying firm Patek & Associates, based in Jefferson City. Clients include Google, Spire, Evergy, Smithfield Foods, Magellan Midstream Partners, St. Louis Regional Convention & Sports Authority, Heavy Constructors Association of Kansas City, Cheyenne International, Centerpointe Hospital, and the board of trustees at North Kansas City Hospital.[3][5]
In 2017, Patek served as treasurer to the American Democracy Alliance PAC, which supported Eric Greitens's Right-to-work law.[6]
In 2024, Mike Kehoe's opponents in the 2024 Missouri gubernatorial election criticized his rental of a bus owned by Patek, suggesting a vested interest to client Smithfield Food's Chinese owners WH Group.[5] Smithfield previously donated to Casey Guernsey and Brian Munzlinger, who pushed for foreign land ownership in Missouri congress.[7]
