David Dewhurst
By: Shelley Kofler, KERA NEWS
As he campaigns to keep his job, Lt. Governor David Dewhurst remembers the crime that spurred him into passing one of his biggest accomplishments.
Dewhurst: It was so horrific I spent the next year of my life whenever I had time talking to abuse victims, parents, police officers.
In the final days of his runoff campaign with Sen. Dan Patrick, Dewhurst sits down with KERA’s Shelley Kofler for our candidate profile.
As the raucous, Republican race for lieutenant governor draws to a close, KERA invited both David Dewhurst and Dan Patrick to sit down and talk about their records and vision.
Dewhurst accepted.
David Dewhurst is a policy wonk. He loves to talk about the technicalities of legislation, and dig into the minutia of the budget. That may sound a little boring, but the 68 year old, who built an oil and gas business, believes his ability to digest details is one of his strongest skills as lieutenant governor, a job that puts him in charge of the Texas Senate. s created more jobs. )
Dewhurst counts the tax cuts as one of his two greatest accomplishments during 11 years as lieutenant governor.
The other is passage of Jessica’s laws which have increased penalties against child sex offenders and given prosecutors more tools to convict them. Dewhurst says he began working on the issue after learning about the sexual abuse and killing of a five-year old girl.
DEWHURST: “It was so horrific that I spent the next year of my life when I had the time talking to sexual abuse victims, parents, police officers, DA’s around the state and I passed the toughest Jessica’s law in the country. And I think that’s helped.”
As for the skill he most struggles with?
DEWHURST: “I think my communication. When my dad was killed by a drunk driver Mom says I was so traumatized I stuttered- I couldn’t talk- so I speak slower.”
Those who know Dewhurst say he seems ill at ease in some settings.
And on the campaign trail he’s often outmaneuvered by his quick-witted, sharp-tongued opponent, a broadcast personality who blames Dewhurst for Wendy Davis’ abortion filibuster shutting down the senate.
Dewhurst compares his style with Sen. Patrick’s this way:
DEWHURST: “He’s almost been a disc jockey too long. He’s always trying to get publicity. It takes judgment, it takes ability to think through the next step. If you’re constantly running for a sound bite. If you’re constantly running for publicity. If this is about you, then you’ve got problems. What I’ve tried to do is have the senators do a good job. Work with them. If the senators do well, fine, I’m gonna do well.”
If he overcomes Patrick’s lead and wins another term, Dewhurst says he wants to bring greater technology to classrooms, and get the dirt flying on new water projects.
He believes his record is proof he can do it.
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