Leticia Van De Putte, the Democratic nominee for lieutenant governor, wasted no time pointing out the differences between herself and Dan Patrick, her Republican opponent on the November ballot.
Van De Putte pointed to Patrick’s use of campaign rhetoric and hot button issues to build an audience in his runoff against incumbent Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst.
"Dan Patrick is a great entertainer, great radio personality, but I never know if it’s the theater Dan or the real Dan," Van De Putte said, speaking to a crowd of supporters and reporters in San Antonio Tuesday night. "And I guess we’re going to have a chance for Texas voters to know; is it the real Dan talking or is it the showman Dan? I hope the real Dan Patrick shows up, I’m going to like that race because we can focus on the issues.”
Van De Putte said she’s heard from business leaders who feel they’re needs for reliable transportation and water infrastructure have fallen on deaf ears.
"Business leaders have told me time and time again that Dan Patrick infects us with the Washington-style politics of 'my way or the highway,' and that’s not what the Senate does, that’s not what Texas politics does, that’s not what our communities do," Van De Putte said.
A survey conducted in April by Public Policy Polling, a national polling organization based in North Carolina, showed Patrick leading Van De Putte by 16 points. If Van De Putte is able to win the seat, she would become the first Latina lieutenant governor to serve the state.
