State Sen. Leticia Van De Putte of San Antonio is exploring a run in 2014 as the Democratic challenger in the lieutenant governor’s race, but she said there is still a lot to consider.
"We’ve really had so many family losses, so first and foremost my concerns are with my family," she said.
Van De Putte has seen her share of losses since the start of this summer -- first the death of baby grandson, then her father died in a car accident and recently her mother-in-law passed away.
Another concern is the analytics of being able to win the race against a strong pack of Republican opposition that includes incumbent David Dewhurst and state Sen. Dan Patrick, a leading tea party voice for conservative issues.
But despite those challenges, Van De Putte said Texans on both sides are tired of not having their needs met.
"We brag about the hundreds of thousands of people that want to come to our state for the jobs, but yet we ignore when they get here they have children that comes to public schools, and that they use our highways and that they need that infrastructure," Van De Putte said. "Grown-ups understand that there is a problem and then grown-ups get together and find out a solution. This Republican administration refuses to do that, it’s time for grown-ups to take back over the state."
Van De Putte is re-grouping this week to discuss her role in the 2014 statewide elections and -- like many other Democrats considering higher office -- waiting for state Sen. Wendy Davis of Fort Worth to officially announce her decision about running for governor, which is set to happen Oct 3, the official date Democrats can file for a statewide election.
