Bill Clinton goes local in Lone Star State

Former President Clinton is going local with a new email fundraising appeal on behalf of the Democratic candidate for Texas lieutenant governor.

{mosads}“The eyes of the nation are on Texas,” Clinton wrote in the email sent out by the Leticia Van de Putte campaign. “Leticia has over twenty years of legislative experience and a vision for prosperity for all Texans, not just a few.”

Van de Putte faces a tough election battle against her fellow state senator, Dan Patrick (R), who beat incumbent Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst in the deep red state. No Democrat has been elected statewide since the 1994 elections and Republicans have, by most accounts, a significant majority in the state. The state doesn’t require party registration, but almost 1.4 million people voted in March’s GOP primary, compared to 560,000 in the Democratic primary. 

“This race will be close but we can win it if we fight tooth and nails,” Clinton’s email said. Links in the email connected readers to a donation page on Van de Putte’s website. 

Clinton is typically one of the most sought-after Democrats in any election cycle, thanks to his strong reputation among Democrats and independents. He’s hit the trail for a few Democrats this fall, but doesn’t typically lend a hand to state-level positions outside of gubernatorial races.

The Texas lieutenant governor position is uniquely powerful, as it serves as both the executive branch’s second-in-command as well as the president and agenda-setter in the state Senate.