State Sen. Leticia Van de Putte has reserved a gymnasium at San Antonio College where she's expected to announce her run for lieutenant governor on Nov. 23.
The email sent by the San Antonio Democrat to supporters Friday was similar to the one Sen. Wendy Davis sent prior to officially announcing her bid for governor.
Van de Putte, a 22-year legislative veteran, stopped short of calling herself a candidate for statewide office, but said: “I understand that the future prosperity of Texas families is dependent upon the path we choose to take today. So after much prayer, reflection and discussion with my family and friends, I'm ready to let you, my grassroots supporters, know what is next for me.”
University of Texas Political Science Professor Jim Henson says Van de Putte's passionate campaign style may complement Davis' more measured demeanor if the two women campaign together.
He says Van de Putte may be attractive to some pivotal voter groups.
“She is a woman, Hispanic from an urban area where Democrats will be looking to generate higher registration and higher turnout. But all those things depend not simply on who she is but how the ticket executes," said Henson.
In a recent interview with KERA Van de Putte, 58, talked like a lieutenant governor candidate as she criticized the four Republicans campaigning for the office which presides over the Texas Senate.
She said all of them had spewed “anti-immigrant, very toxic sentiments” as they debate who among them has most fervently opposed in-state tuition for Texas high school graduates whose undocumented parents brought them into the country.
Van de Putte sponsored the Texas Dream Act which established the in-state tuition benefit. The GOP candidates have all said students in this country illegally should not be eligible for it.
The Republicans running for their party’s nomination include: Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, the incumbent; State Sen. Dan Patrick of Houston; Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples; and Texas Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson.
