Illustration by Alexandra Nelipa
State races will decide Texas governor, lieutenant governor and others.
By Nathalie Mora
sac-ranger@alamo.edu
Elections are today throughout the state of Texas. During these elections citizens can vote for local and state representatives.
These local elections affect students more than presidential elections, said government Professor Suzanne Martinez.
Candidates in the November election include governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general and railroad commissioner.
Candidates for governor are Republican Gregg Abbott and Democrat Wendy Davis.
Abbott is very pro-business and believes in limited government and unlimited opportunity for all, said Elizabeth Haynie, president of The College Republicans.
Davis, on the other hand, is very concerned about public education and is an advocate for women’s reproductive rights, Martinez said.
Lieutenant Governor is a very powerful player in legislation, said Martinez.
This elected official, who sits on the legislative budget board, is president of the Senate and can name special committees and appoint committee chairs and individual members, said Martinez.
Candidates for Lieutenant Governor are Republican Dan Patrick and Democrat Leticia Van de Putte.
Patrick is an advocate of border security and quality education, Haynie said.
“Dan Patrick said the best way to improve education is by giving the teacher autonomy,” Haynie said.
“Leticia Van de Putte is an advocate for not just women but for families in general,” Martinez said.
Van de Putte has been in the Senate for a long time and knows how to compromise, said Martinez.
Martinez highly encourages students to vote and to stop allowing older people to make decisions for the younger generations.
These elected officials make very important decisions and appoint members to boards, Martinez said.
For example, Rick Perry, governor of Texas for 14 years, “has appointed everyone on every board in commission at the state level,” Martinez said.
The governor appoints members to the board of the University of Texas at Austin, which makes higher education policy and determines tuition increases, Martinez said.
This campus does not currently have a Democrats club, Martinez said. She plans to start one in the spring of 2015.
To find their polling place, students should visit http://www.vote411.org/enter-your-address.
For more information about joining the club for student Democrats, contact Martinez at smartinez3@alamo.edu.
