In a deeply conservative red state, the few strong abortion supporters who dot the map of Texas are thrilled by one of Texas’s lieutenant gubernatorial candidates, Senator Leticia Van de Putte.
Van de Putte boasts a fairly consistent pro-abortion voting record; indeed, she boasts a D score from the state’s premier pro-life legislative organization, Texas Right to Life. If elected along with gubernatorial candidate Wendy Davis, the near future of women and pre-born children in Texas would be considerably more bleak than it is today, under the stalwart pro-life leadership of Governor Rick Perry.
Here is the full Van de Putte endorsement statement from EMILY’s List:
EMILY’s List Endorses Leticia Van de Putte for Lieutenant Governor of Texas
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today EMILY’s List, the nation’s largest resource for women in politics, endorsed Leticia Van de Putte for lieutenant governor of Texas. EMILY’s List has also endorsed Wendy Davis for governor of Texas. This is the first time in Texas history that two women will lead a major party’s ticket for top statewide office.
“State Senator Leticia Van de Putte is a tough and inspiring leader who has been a strong voice for women and families in Texas,” said Stephanie Schriock, President of EMILY’s List. “And now she’s ready to take her fight for Texans to the next level as lieutenant governor. For too long, failed leaders in the Lone Star State have gotten away with silencing women and ignoring the real needs of Texas families. But Leticia is focused on building a better future for Texas by standing up for veterans and small business owners. The EMILY’s List community – now three million members strong – is thrilled to support Leticia Van de Putte’s groundbreaking campaign.”
Leticia Van de Putte received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas at Austin, College of Pharmacy and was a Kellogg Fellow at Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government. Senator Van de Putte has represented the people of San Antonio in the state legislature since 1991. She has served on the Senate Veteran Affairs and Military Installations Committee where she has been Chair for the past 10 years. She is also a member of the Senate Committees on Business and Commerce, State Affairs, and Education. Senator Van de Putte served as President of the National Conference of State Legislatures from 2006 to 2007 and President of the National Hispanic Caucus of State Legislators from 2003 to 2005. She is an involved member of the National Assessment Governing Board and the American Legacy Foundation Board. Nationally, Senator Van de Putte served as Co-Chair of the 2008 Democratic National Convention. In 2013, Leticia was unanimously elected by her colleagues to serve as President Pro Tempore of the Texas Senate’s 83rd Regular Session. Senator Van de Putte famously demanded her defense of women’s healthcare be heard on the state Senate floor earlier this year. She lives in San Antonio with her husband Pete, has six children, and is a proud grandmother.
Leticia Van de Putte would help contribute toward a proud legacy in Texas. In 1990, EMILY’s List helped elect Governor Ann Richards, the first woman governor of Texas elected in her own right.
CLICK LIKE IF YOU’RE PRO-LIFE!
EMILY’s List, the nation’s largest resource for women in politics, has raised over $350 million to support pro-choice Democratic women candidates – making it one of the most successful political action committees in the country. Throughout its 28 year history, the organization has recruited and trained over 8,000 women to run, worked to elect 101 pro-choice Democratic women to the House, 19 to the Senate, 10 governors, and over five hundred women to state and local office. Since its founding in 1985, EMILY’s List helped elect 97% of the Democratic women of color in Congress, including every single Latina, African American, and Asian American Democrat ic woman currently serving. And during the 2011-2012 cycle, EMILY’s List had the largest number of members and donors in its history and raised a record-breaking $52 million dollars. With the help of this growing community – now three million members strong – EMILY’s List helped elect an historic number of candidates in 2012 including 19 new women to the House, six Senate incumbents, three new Senators, and 186 state and local officials.
It is imperative for the women and unborn children of Texas that pro-life candidates are elected next year. To find out how to support candidates who will be dedicated to life if elected, keep a close eye on Texas Right to Life endorsements and political action events.
