Leticia R. Van de Putte

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Leticia R. Van de Putte
Leticia Van de Putte.jpg
Member of the Texas Senate
from the 26th district
Incumbent
Assumed office
1999
Personal details
Born (1954-12-06) December 6, 1954 (age 58)
Tacoma, Washington
Political party Democratic
Spouse(s) Pete
Residence San Antonio, Texas
Alma mater University of Texas, Austin, Harvard University
Profession pharmacist
Religion Roman Catholic

Leticia R. San Miguel Van de Putte[1] (born 6 December 1954)[2] is a Democratic member of the Texas Senate representing the 26th District. She was previously a member of the Texas House of Representatives.

Contents

Family[edit]

Van de Putte was born in Tacoma, Washington, and raised in San Antonio, where she currently lives with her husband, Henry P. "Pete" Van De Putte Jr.[3] Van de Putte has six children and six grandchildren.

Education[edit]

Senator Van de Putte was a Kellogg Fellow at Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government in 1993. She received her Bachelor of Science from the University of Texas at Austin, College of Pharmacy, and she is a 1973 graduate of Thomas Jefferson High School (San Antonio, Texas).[4]

Career before politics[edit]

She was and still is a practicing pharmacist.

Political career[edit]

Senator Leticia Van de Putte represents Texas Senate district 26, consisting of a large portion of San Antonio and Bexar County. She began her legislative career with her 1990 election to the Texas House of Representatives (District 115). She won a special election to the senate in 1999. In 2003, she was appointed Chair of the Texas Senate Democratic Caucus, a position she held until 2011. At the national level, Senator Van de Putte is an active and deeply involved member of many political organizations, including the National Assessment Governing Board, the American Legacy Foundation Board, and the National Conference of State Legislatures, of which she served as President from 2006 to 2007. In addition, she led the National Hispanic Caucus of State Legislators as President from 2003 to 2005. In 2008 she served as Co-Chair of the Democratic National Convention in Denver.[5]

Senator Van de Putte currently serves as Chair of the Veteran Affairs and Military Installations Committee, and also is a member of the Senate Committees on Education, State Affairs, and Business and Commerce. She is also co-chair of the Joint Committee on Human Trafficking.[6]

She considered running in the 2010 race for governor, but in June 2009 decided to instead run for re-election to the Texas Senate.[7]

Honors and awards[edit]

Over the past two decades, Senator Van de Putte has been honored with numerous awards such as the National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare's award for "State Legislator of the Year" Vietnam Veteran's of America's "Legislator of the Year Award," the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill "Texas Legislative Champion Award", the United Way of San Antonio "Children's Championship Award", the League of United Latin American Citizens' "Legislative Recognition Award", Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve "Seven Seals Award", the Texas Classroom Teachers Association "Legislative Star" Award, the Texas Pharmacy Association "Pharmacist of the Year", the American Pharmacists Association's "Hubert H. Humphrey" Award named for a noted pharmacist and public servant, and the Center for Policy Alternatives honored Senator Leticia Van de Putte with the "Arthur S. Fleming Leadership Award". This national award is presented to a leader who exemplifies the ideals of public service through the highest standards of performance. Most recently, the Senator received the Charles M. West Distinguished American Award, which recognizes leaders whose contributions have had a lasting impact on pharmacy and the health and welfare of the American public.[8]

She is a strong advocate for children, veterans, improved access to health care, quality education, and economic development issues and has consistently authored and sponsored bills to assist families in securing opportunities. Senator Van de Putte has been a key author of bills that reformed the welfare system, revamped the Juvenile Code, and insured children. Multiple civic organizations and community groups have recognized Senator Van de Putte as one of the most effective, hardworking, sincere, and influential legislators in Texas.[9]

2008 Democratic National Convention[edit]

Van de Putte speaks during a press conference before the start of the 2008 Democratic National Convention in Denver, Colorado, flanked by her fellow co-chairs and the convention chair.

Van de Putte served as a co-chair of the 2008 Democratic National Convention along with Kansas Governor of Kansas Kathleen Sebelius and Atlanta, Georgia Mayor Shirley Franklin, while Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi served as permanent chair.[10]

Election history[edit]

Senate election history of Van de Putte.[11]

Most recent election[edit]

2012[edit]

Texas general election, 2012: Senate District 26[12]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Green Chris Christal 10,557 6.03 {{{change}}}
Democratic Leticia R. Van de Putte (Incumbent) 140,757 80.42 {{{change}}}
Libertarian Nazirite R. Flores Perez 22,904 13.08 {{{change}}}
Independent Deborah L. Parrish 801 0.45 {{{change}}}
Turnout 175,019
Democratic hold

Previous elections[edit]

2008[edit]

Texas general election, 2008: Senate District 26[13]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Leticia R. Van de Putte (Incumbent) 136,913 81.44
Libertarian Steve Lopez 31,194 18.55
Majority
Turnout 168,107
Democratic hold

2004[edit]

Texas general election, 2004: Senate District 26[14]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Jim Valdez 74,070 40.04 +40.04
Democratic Leticia R. Van de Putte (Incumbent) 105,625 57.10 -42.90
Libertarian Raymundo Alemán 5,295 2.86 +2.86
Majority 31,555 17.06 -82.94
Turnout 184,990 +149.44
Democratic hold
Democratic primary, 2004: Senate District 26[15]
Candidate Votes % ±%
Johnny Rodriguez 3,685 18.06
✓ Leticia R. Van de Putte (Incumbent) 16,723 81.94
Majority 13,038 63.89
Turnout 20,408

2002[edit]

Texas general election, 2002: Senate District 26[16]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Leticia R. Van de Putte (Incumbent) 74,163 100.00 0.00
Majority 74,163 100.00 0.00
Turnout 74,163 -29.88
Democratic hold

2000[edit]

Texas general election, 2000: Senate District 26[17]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Leticia R. Van de Putte (Incumbent) 105,771 100.00 +32.46
Majority 105,771 100.00 +64.92
Turnout 105,771 -16.86
Democratic hold
Democratic primary, 2000: Senate District 26[18]
Candidate Votes % ±%
David McQuade Leibowitz 11,232 45.63
✓ Leticia R. Van de Putte (Incumbent) 13,381 54.37
Majority 2,149 8.73
Turnout 24,613

1999[edit]

Special election: Senate District 26, Unexpired term[19]
2 November 1999
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Leo Alvarado, Jr.[20] 12,473 21.02
Democratic Lauro Bustamante, Jr. 4,245 7.16
Republican Anne Newman 6,768 11.41
Democratic Leticia Van de Putte[20] 27,139 45.74
Republican Mark Weber 8,702 14.67
Turnout 59,327
Democratic hold

References[edit]

  1. ^ Texas Department of State Health Services, Vital Records (1977-10-23). "Marriage record No. 117996 (Henry P. Van de Putte to Leticia San Miguel)" (Third party index of marriage records for Bexar County, Texas). Rootsweb.com. Retrieved 2007-01-05. [dead link]
  2. ^ Office of the Secretary of State (Texas) (2002-09-13). "State Senate Candidates for 2002 General Election". Retrieved 2006-12-27. 
  3. ^ "About Leticia". The Official Leticia Van de Putte Campaign Site. 
  4. ^ "About Leticia". The Official Leticia Van de Putte Campaign Site. 
  5. ^ "About Leticia". The Official Leticia Van de Putte Campaign Site. 
  6. ^ "About Leticia". The Official Leticia Van de Putte Campaign Site. 
  7. ^ http://elpasotimes.typepad.com/capitol/2009/06/sen-van-de-putte-says-she-wont-run-for-governor-but-sen-watson-should.html
  8. ^ "Leticia's Awards and Recognitions". The Official Leticia Van de Putte Campaign Site. 
  9. ^ "About Leticia". The Official Leticia Van de Putte Campaign Site. 
  10. ^ Democrats Announce 2008 Convention Chairs
  11. ^ Uncontested primary elections are not shown.
  12. ^ "Office of the Secretary of State: 1992 – Current ELECTION HISTORY". Retrieved 2012-12-16. 
  13. ^ "2008 General Election". Office of the Secretary of State (Texas). Retrieved 2012-09-12. 
  14. ^ "2004 General Election". Office of the Secretary of State (Texas). Retrieved 2007-01-05. 
  15. ^ "2004 Democratic Party Primary Election". Office of the Secretary of State (Texas). Retrieved 2007-01-05. 
  16. ^ "2002 General Election". Office of the Secretary of State (Texas). Retrieved 2007-01-05. 
  17. ^ "2000 General Election". Office of the Secretary of State (Texas). Retrieved 2007-01-05. 
  18. ^ "2000 Democratic Party Primary Election". Office of the Secretary of State (Texas). Retrieved 2007-01-05. 
  19. ^ "1999 Special Election for State Senate". Office of the Secretary of State (Texas). Retrieved 2007-01-05. 
  20. ^ a b Houston Chronicle News Services (1999-11-12). "New senator takes oath". Houston Chronicle. p. A39. Retrieved 2007-01-05. "Van de Putte, a Democrat, assumed the Senate seat after receiving the most votes in a special election Nov. 2. She was to be in a runoff with state Rep. Leo Alvarado, but he withdrew." 

External links[edit]

Texas House of Representatives
Preceded by
Orlando Luis Garcia		 Member of the Texas House of Representatives
from District 115 (San Antonio)
1991–1999		 Succeeded by
Mike Villarreal
Texas Senate
Preceded by
Gregory Luna		 Texas State Senator
from District 26 (San Antonio)
1999 – present		 Incumbent
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