During a live Texas Public Radio debate Monday the two candidates for San Antonio mayor agreed on some important policy issues: the need to provide more affordable housing in and around downtown; a desire for more competitive airline service; and a willingness to consider financial incentives to attract a professional soccer franchise to the Alamo City.
Watch the entire debate at the bottom of the page
During the 60-minute live broadcast candidates Ivy Taylor and Leticia Van de Putte generally remained civil while disagreeing on a number of policy issues.
But the exchanges became more personal and heated near the end when Taylor was asked about her husband not filing a police complaint after a man allegedly shot and wounded two people outside his bail bond business. Police say the shooter later killed two victims near an Eastside car wash.
Van de Putte implied that Taylor and her husband had acted irresponsibly and that filing a police complaint could have prevented the later fatalities.
The former senator’s comments visibly angered Taylor who then refused to shake Van de Putte’s hand following the debate.
“Here in Texas if a person attacks your family for personal gain then smiles and extends their hand to you I say you don’t shake that hand. I signed up to be part of this. No one in my family did,” Taylor explained.
Van de Putte defended her comments as fair play.
“I only said exactly what has been reported. And it’s not the first time the Taylor’s have refused to cooperate with removing someone who’s a criminal off the street,” Van de Putte said.
Taylor claims the issue was blown out of proportion by members of the police association who are supporting Van de Putte.
Van de Putte says a mayor has to be held to a higher standards. Her campaign acknowledges the San Antonio Police Officers Association is releasing campaign ads that take Taylor to task over the shooting issue.
Texas Public Radio worked with NowCastSA.com to provide live video streaming of the debate.
