This woman could turn Texas purple — and it’s not Wendy Davis

[Judi Lynn]

This woman could turn Texas purple — and it’s not Wendy Davis
By Nia-Malika Henderson
March 14 at 7:29 am

Nationally, not many progressives recognize and know who Texas state Sen. Leticia Van de Putte is, though some might remember what she did last June as her colleague Wendy Davis was wrapping up her marathon filibuster against a restrictive abortion bill.

~snip~
Even as Davis, who won the Democratic gubernatorial primary last week, has stumbled over the last months, she is still seen by national progressives as someone who could help galvanize Democratic voters in the Lone Star state and make it purple.

But increasingly, on the ground in Texas, attention is shifting to San Antonio’s Van de Putte, who is running for lieutenant governor, a position that is in some ways the more powerful one in Texas, because that official presides over the Senate. Van de Putte is quietly emerging as a favorite among some Democrats, who see the Hispanic businesswoman and mother of seven as the more likely candidate who could help revive her party’s chances.

San Antonio Mayor Julián Castro, himself a rising Texas Democratic star, is among her most vocal supporters.

More:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/she-the-people/wp/2014/03/14/this-woman-could-turn-texas-purple-and-its-not-wendy-davis/

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. Good to hear!

Strong women in politics are a plus anywhere, and especially in Texas.

K&R

[calimary]

3. And we need them rather desperately!

[DFW]

2. Texans have known about Leticia for a long time now

She is definitely another bright spot on our horizon.

[Hippo_Tron]

4. I'm glad we're running serious Democrats in Texas

It's a huge uphill climb right now, but having people willing to do that climb makes all the difference.

[LisaL]

5. Yes, you have to start somewhere.

If you never try, you will never succeed.

[Rstrstx]

6. I like her chances better than Wendy's

As much as I like Wendy I'm afraid the Republican machinery is going to do everything it takes to make sure she doesn't connect with suburban women, which would be critical for her to win. Abbott will be instructed by the powers that be to keep his mouth shut so he won't have a chance to stick his foot in it, but here's to hoping we can get under his skin a few times.

However - if they go and try to knock down Van de Putte it could easily backfire; to do so they'd basically have to come up with some way of discrediting her without trying to insult both women and Hispanics, which would mean big trouble.

She also may get a gift from the Repubs when they reject Dewhurst and go with the obscure teabagger for their nominee. I haven't paid much attention to him but if he's a loose cannon then all bets are off. As well known as Davis is I think the more seasoned Van de Putte has a stronger base of support and has more experience playing hardball Texas politics.

[bigdarryl]

7. Unfortunately LT.Governor candidates don't win elections

[cr8tvlde]

8. A Woman, a Texan, a Hispanic, a Democrat and a friend of Julian Castro. What's not to like?

[wakemeupwhenitsover]

9. She looks good.

As LT she'll raise her awareness.

[Gothmog]

10. Here is a good analysis from a blogger at the Houston Paper

Here is a good analysis from Off the Kuff http://blog.chron.com/kuffsworld/2014/03/its-as-much-about-leticia-as-it-is-about-dan/

As I noted before, it’s not hard to imagine a scenario in which LVdP wins. It won’t take all that many crossover voters, especially if Democrats finally manage to get their base turnout level up. LVdP will be a big asset in that. As Molly Ivins would have said, she has a lot of Elvis in her, and she has the experience and sensibleness to be an acceptable choice to the kind of Republican that can’t bear the thought of voting for Dan Patrick. The main thing she needs right now is financial support so she can get her name and her message out. If you’re supporting Wendy Davis – which of course you should be – you also need to be supporting Leticia Van de Putte. We’ve been waiting for an opportunity like this for a long time. Let’s not let it go by without giving it all we’ve got.