State Sen. Leticia Van de Putte D-San Antonio has formally removed herself from consideration as a 2010 gubernatorial candidate. Van de Putte says she plans to keep her focus on the state Legislature and is encouraging State. Sen. Kirk Watson D-Austin to consider a bid for governor.
There had been considerable speculation during the last few months that Van de Putte a four-term incumbent might throw her hat in the ring for the governors race next year. But she squelched that idea today in a statement that is harshly critical of Gov. Rick Perry and U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison.
If I believed for a second that it would result in a healthy debate of the issues of most importance to Texas families I would today be announcing my candidacy for governor of Texas" Van de Putte says.
But we have all watched over the years as Perry Hutchison and other Republican politicians have launched their scorched earth say anything to win vicious attacks against political opponents. To mask their utter lack of leadership theyll do so again and I decline to put my family through it."
Hutchison is widely believed to be gearing up to challenge Perry in the Republican primary for governor next year. So far the only Democrat to formally announce in the race is Tom Schieffer who served as ambassador to Australia under President George W. Bush.
Democrats should recruit and support someone who like Watson is energetic pragmatic focused and smart; and who can fully energize Democratic supporters while also attracting a broad range of independent voters in every region of the state" she says.
This story originally published by the San Antonio Business Journal
