Last spring, as Republican lawmakers tried to defuse Democratic State Sen. Wendy Davis’ 10 hour filibuster on abortion restrictions in Texas, a fellow Senator named Leticia Van de Putte attempted to get the attention of the presiding officer.
"Mr. President," Van De Putte shouted, "at what point must a female senator raise her hand or her voice to be recognized over the male colleagues in the room?"
The remark won Van De Putte some attention, all right.
As calls from rank and file Democrats rose for Wendy Davis to run for governor, many urged Van De Putte to pitch her hat into the ring for the No. 2 spot. Last November, she did just that. Van De Putte is running unopposed for the Democratic nomination for Lieutenant Governor. She'll face the winner of the Republican primary in November.
A San Antonio pharmacist by trade and a veteran of the state house and senate (and a proud 'abuela', as she describes herself), Van De Putte says her entry into politics was sparked by frustration with the status quo in Texas politics. In a wide ranging 'get to know you' conversation hosted by KUT's Senior Political Correspondent Ben Philpott and Texas Standard host David Brown, Van De Putte talks about her San Antonio ties, the state's $14 billion 'rainy day fund', Texas' infrastructure, education funding, and womens' reproductive rights.
We have invited all of the top candidates in the major statewide races to join us for these conversations, and we’ll continue to share excerpts on the air along with extended versions here at KUT.org. The last day for early voting in the primaries is Friday, February 28.
