New State Senate Leader, But GOP Still Rules
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AUSTIN (AP) - The Texas Legislature will get a dose of new leadership after Tuesday's election, while Republicans are poised to retain their firm grip as the party in charge of the nation's second-most populous state.
Voters will elect a new lieutenant governor, who presides over the Senate in one of the most powerful offices in the state. That job has been held by Republican David Dewhurst since 2003.
Although Dewhurst presided over a wave of conservative legislation during the past decade, Republicans ousted him in the primary, instead choosing state Sen. Dan Patrick, a firebrand darling of the tea party. Patrick faces Democrat Leticia Van de Putte, a longtime state senator from San Antonio.
Polls have shown Patrick with a commanding lead, raising questions over how much further right his leadership in the Senate could push the state.
Patrick, 64, was first elected in 2006 and has been a leader for Senate Republicans on passing laws on voter identification, budget cuts and abortion restrictions. During his campaign, Patrick pledged to tighten illegal immigration controls and wants to provide tax credits for businesses that donate to private and religious schools.
Patrick also has said he wants to lower the Senate's traditional two-thirds voting threshold to pass bills to a 60 percent majority, which would almost precisely match the 19-12 numerical advantage the GOP had in the 31-member chamber heading into the election. Republicans have been two votes shy of being able to overrun Democratic voting blocs against some key bills in recent sessions.
Van de Putte, 59, a senator since 1999, is trying to become the state's first female lieutenant governor, but Democrats haven't won a statewide elected office since 1994.
In the House, every seat in the 150-member chamber is up for election, but gerrymandered districts aren't expected to produce much change in the 95-55 majority Republicans held in 2013. Republican Speaker Joe Straus of San Antonio, who faces no major-party opposition in his race for re-election, could face a GOP challenger to be presiding officer of the chamber once lawmakers are sworn in in January.
Straus has fought off far-right conservatives' previous attempts to oust him.
(© Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
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