Democratic Party candidate for Lieutenant Governor Senator Leticia Van de Putte holds Go Vote Political Rally in Eagle Pass
By: Jose G. Landa, Copyright 2014, Eagle Pass Business Journal, Inc.
Texas Democratic Party candidate for Lieutenant Governor Senator Leticia Van de Putte of San Antonio, Texas hosted a Go Vote political rally on Monday, October 20, 2014, at 3:30 P.M. at Fort Duncan Park in Eagle Pass, Texas, on the first day of the Early Voting period for the November 4th general election.
Maverick County Judge David R. Saucedo welcomed Senator Leticia Van de Putte to Maverick County while Eagle Pass Mayor Ramsey English Cantu introduced Senator Van de Putte stating “Senator Van De Putte has been a champion for many causes while she has served in her capacity as Senator, championing Veterans issues and the education system within our state. As a community, we are doing everything possible to get out the vote. I tell you the work is being done to get the people to go out and vote.”
“Today is the start of the early voting process and what better place than to start a 14 day, 30 city tour than the place where my family started in the United States, Maverick County,” said Senator Van de Putte.
Senator Van De Putte proudly detailed her San Miguel family history beginning in Maverick County seven generations ago and being one of Texas’ pioneer families before 1836, Texas” Independence from Mexico.
Van De Putte stated that one of her most prized possessions is an Eagle Pass High School 1917 Yearbook where her grandfather, Daniel San Miguel, graduated from.
“I am so proud to be here because my election as Lieutenant Governor would be historic. It would be the first time that you would have a woman in that position and a Mexican-American as well. And it would be the first time that you would have somebody from South Texas in that position,” said Senator Van de Putte. Van De Putte thanked everyone in attendance for their support.
“I’ve had the pleasure and opportunity to visit so many people from Wichita Falls to El Paso and the Rio Grande Valley and all the communities in between and we all have our differences but we are all the same as we want the same for our families, which is a future for our children,” added Van de Putte.
“We all want our children and our grandchildren to have better opportunities and that is why I’m running for Lieutenant Governor to make sure that we secure that future for our children,” said Van de Putte.
Van De Putte acknowledged that the reason that all of us have the freedom to enjoy free elections and a democracy is because of our Nation’s Veterans who fought to defend and protect these freedoms. “We have these freedoms because of the men and women who have served our Armed Forces for generations. For those who have served our country, we want to thank you here today,” said Van de Putte. Senator Van de Putte presented four local veterans in attendance at her political rally a Texas Challenge Coin in honor of their service to our country and state. She is the Chairperson of the Texas Senate Veterans Affairs and Military Installations Committee.
Senator Van De Putte noted that her love and passion for a better future for her six children and six grandchildren inspired her to run for the Lieutenant Governor of Texas.
“I was hearing what the Republicans were saying and it just wasn’t the Texas that I grew up in. Instead of talking about the education system and about how we should value our teachers, they were talking about schemes like vouchers. And instead of talking about what do we do to make sure that every single child in this state has a chance and a great education, they were defunding the cuts. They were saying that it didn’t cost anything, that it was $5.4 billion dollars in cuts but that it didn’t matter. Yes it did matter, 11,000 teachers lost their jobs and over 8,000 class size waivers. Yes, it did cost us. The price was way too high! I voted along with Senator Carlos Uresti against those cuts,” said Van De Putte.
Van De Putte noted that in returning back to legislature in 2013 even the Republicans knew that it had been a wrong choice to make those education cuts in the state budget. “They worked with me to restore some of those cuts,” said Van de Putte.
Van De Putte cited that her opponent for Lieutenant Governor, Republican Tea Party Dan Patrick, once again had voted against our children and restoring some of those education cuts.
In addition, Van de Putte noted that her opponent, Senator Dan Patrick voted against a Texas Veterans Job Program Bill. “He was the only NO vote on a Veterans Job Program Bill. When I asked him why? He said I’m here to cut government,'” said Van de Putte. “Today, that program has helped 1,600 Veterans obtain their business plans so when they come out of the service and if they want to own their own business, they have an opportunity to do so,” said Van de Putte.
Van De Putte addressed her Republican opponent Dan Patrick’s negative comments of Texas Border communities and how they (Republicans) do not know what it is to live in a border community but that the Republican candidates will do and say anything to muster up a vote. Van de Putte noted Patrick has disrespected Texas border communities and spoken about them and its people with despicable, derogatory terms.
“He has spent 18 months campaigning and has never gone South of I-10. Well let me tell you, there is a great part of Texas and it is South of I-10. It’s South Texas and our border areas, it’s an economic powerhouse,” said Van de Putte.
“ I know as a mother, grandmother, pharmacist and Texan that we can do more and that is why I am running to be your next Lieutenant Governor and I ask you for your vote here today,” said Van de Putte.
Senator Van de Putte noted that her priority when she is working in the state Legislature is to do what is best for all the people of the red, white, and blue Lone Star State, not just for the blue or red part of the state. Van de Putte stated Texas needs new leadership with all the Texans’ best interests in mind, not just a few.
Senator Van de Putte encouraged all Maverick Countians and Texans to take advantage of the Early Voting period to go vote in this important November 4th statewide election. Early voting started on Monday, October 20th and runs through Friday, October 31st while Election Day voting is Tuesday, November 4th. Van de Putte recommended all registered voters to get out and vote and make a difference.
Senator Van de Putte thanked all the beautiful persons of Maverick County and those who attended her political rally. Over 50 persons attended the Eagle Pass rally.
