In many parts of the state, election season ended November 4. But not in San Antonio. The political dominoes set off by Sen. Leticia Van de Putte’s decision to run for mayor are pitting longtime colleagues, friends and foes against one another in races to replace, well, each other.
In addition to the undeniably awkward Mike Villarreal vs. Leticia Van de Putte dance, Van de Putte’s departure from the Texas Senate sparks yet another interesting face-off between longtime Democratic state reps. Trey Martinez Fischer and Jose Menendez, who have both represented San Antonio at the Capitol since 2000, want her old gig in the upper chamber.
Martinez Fischer, the more outspoken and boisterous of the two candidates, chairs the Mexican American Legislative Caucus. He says he and Menendez are friends, but that he has “established” himself “very uniquely” to speak up for his constituents when they need it most. As an example of his commitment, he points to his pivotal role in restoring more than $3 billion in education funding after the 2011 Texas Legislature slashed the public-ed budget by more than $5 billion. “I am the only announced candidate that has a track record of being able to push back and using my voice to leverage public policy,” he said.
Menendez, who began his political career as a member of San Antonio’s City Council, says his strengths are apparent in his track record of passing legislation benefitting veterans–similar to Van de Putte–and his chairmanship of the House Committee on Defense and Veterans Affairs. Menendez has self-identified as the “underdog” in almost every political race he’s participated in, but clearly that hasn’t stopped him.
He and Martinez Fischer have “served together,” he said. “I think it may be difficult for some people to choose or decide who is the favored one … (the campaign) will have comfortable shoes on, knocking on doors.”
Van de Putte’s resignation letter specified that she will remain in office until her successor is sworn in, but Gov. Rick Perry has yet to set a date for the special election to replace her.
This article appears in Synthetic Marijuana is an Insidious Ruse.