Best of SA 2012
Best Local Elected Official (State)
Published: April 25, 2012
1. Mike Villarreal
Texas House of Representatives (D123), mikevillarreal.com
Mike Villarreal's a numbers guy, a wonk, and it's something that largely sets him apart from the cadre of his Democratic colleagues who smell blood each time Perry and Co. choose wrong (like slicing and dicing education or women's health care). Sure a fiery quote might grab headlines, but Villarreal likes to let the numbers do the talking. As the Lege eyed (and ultimately passed) deep cuts last session, the Harvard grad broke out data on inefficiencies, flagrant corporate giveaways, and loopholes costing the state millions — the message being: "Cut here first." You might catch an excel sheet or pie chart in the eye, but when Villarreal decides to riff financial management and budget policy, it's worth listening.
2. Leticia Van de Putte (Tie)
Texas State Senate (D26), vandeputte.senate.state.tx.us
Joaquin Castro
Texas House of Representatives (D125), castroforcongress.com
3. Joe Straus
Texas House of Representatives, Speaker (D121), joestraus.org
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