DALLAS – Less than a day after her narrow victory over Houston businessman Andrew White, Democratic gubernatorial nominee Lupe Valdez explained how she would govern differently, if elected in November.
“Well, one of the first things we want to do is look at public education,” she said.
Valdez said she wants to increase funding for education something Republicans have reduced in recent legislative sessions.
In the wake of the deadly massacre at the high school in Santa Fe, Texas, Valdez was asked how she would stop school shootings.
“Well, I don’t know that you can totally take care of one issue. But you can take care of the thing that is causing it,” Valdez said. “You know I’ve carried a weapon for over 40 years. I believe in the Second Amendment, but I also know that anybody who cannot settle disagreements without violence should never be allowed to carry a gun.”
Valdez said she supports universal background checks for firearm purchases, banning high-capacity magazines, and closing loopholes to prevent people accused of domestic violence from possessing a firearm.
Valdez defeated White in a primary runoff on Tuesday with 227,889 votes, 52-percent of the vote, compared to White’s 204,291 or 47-percent. The results were closer than many Democratic watchers expected. Still, Valdez’s victory settled the November ballot and officially launched the governor’s race.
Already, Gov. Greg Abbott, R-Texas, launched an online ad against his new opponent.
"Lupe Valdez's inability to articulate a clear vision for Texas, coupled with her lack of leadership in Dallas County, proves that she is wrong for Texas," Abbott’s campaign said in an emailed release.
“I disagree of course. I’m a proven leader. I have the experience. I have the knowledge and I can do this,” Valdez responded.
When asked to clarify statements she made that were included in Abbott’s ad about whether she would raise taxes, Valdez would only say: “I would not do anything to hurt the working person.”
Valdez, 70, grew up in San Antonio, served in the U.S. Army and got elected sheriff in Dallas County. She is now the first Hispanic and openly gay gubernatorial nominee of a major party in Texas.
That message, she said, is not lost on her.
“This is about bringing everybody in. This isn’t about labels or putting someone in some category. This is about including everybody. And it makes it easier now, we can say everybody is included,” Valdez explained.
But taking that that history to the governor’s mansion remains unlikely as Republicans still vastly outvote Democrats in Texas.
Abbott also remains one of the most popular politicians in the state not to mention he has amassed more than $43-million for re-election.