September 29, 2014 9:36 PM

Patrick and Van de Putte face off in only debate of the campaign

Assertive performances by both Lite Guv candidates; now here come the pundits and the fact-checkers

Both candidates for Texas Lt. Governor gave measured but assertive performances in the only debate they’ll have before voters decide which one of them should preside over the Texas Senate come 2015. The hour-long exchange held at the studios of KLRU Public Television in Austin on Monday night revealed no new positions by either candidate. They both, however, demonstrated an ability to talk clearly on matters of policy while delivering some subtle and not-so-subtle jabs at one another.

Sen. Dan Patrick, R-Houston, stressed his oft-heard message about border security. The Democrat, Sen. Leticia Van de Putte of San Antonio sought to introduce herself to voters and highlight what she sees as Patrick’s extremism. Despite their complete disagreements on a variety of issues both fiscal and social, Patrick repeatedly said he likes Sen. Van de Putte – a sentiment she did not return.

The debate’s format, which was similar to what was seen when Sen. Wendy Davis and Attorney General Greg Abbott met in McAllen, served to allow each candidate to stick to their talking points while only taking glancing blows at each other’s positions. These highly structured debates, by the way, seem to have become part of the Republican structural advantage in Texas. After all, the less news is made during an exchange, the less chance of moving the polls.

Appropriately, the first question was about the growing scandal involving Gov. Perry’s business-luring Texas Enterprise Fund. Sen. Van de Putte said she was “appalled” to learn about the way Perry has been administering it. “This has been very distressing," she said and added that the program should be halted immediately while an investigation is done.

Van de Putte said government, and those who serve in it, need to be transparent. She then pivoted to the question of why Sen. Patrick has not released his taxes. All the other Republicans Patrick defeated for the GOP nomination released their taxes, Van de Putte said.

To that, Patrick answered that his financial disclosure forms include all the information anyone would ever need to know about his finances, even his taxes.

By Scott Braddock