TX Lieutenant Governor
David Dewhurst
Interview
Notes from Evan Smith
"The three men who preceded this week’s guest as the duly elected lieutenant governor of Texas are famous, or infamous, in the annals of the state’s history. Democrat Bill Hobby was an intellectual, a policy wonk before the term came into common usage, who descended from a storied family, and he served as our number-two elected official for a record eighteen years. Democrat Bob Bullock was an irascible old cuss who knew the state budget inside out as well as the pressure points that could get his friends and enemies alike to play ball. Republican Rick Perry kept the chair warm in rock-ribbed conservative fashion for not quite two years before succeeding George W. Bush as governor, a job he has now held longer than anyone in history. So David Dewhurst could be forgiven for seeing beyond the outer reaches of the job’s apparent parameters. A businessman, rancher, and reliable Republican donor who was elected Land Commissioner in 1998 in his first try for public office, the 63-year-old surprised even his party faithful with a strong showing in 2002, when he narrowly defeated the formidable Democratic comptroller John Sharp to become what the Capitol calls, with a wink and a grin, lite guv. In the six years since, he has struggled to define his leadership role alongside that of Perry and Speaker of the House Tom Craddick and to put his personal stamp on matters of policy taken up in the Senate, which he presides over as president. He touts his work on economic opportunity and public safety and school finance, as well his service as chairman of the Governor’s Task Force on Homeland Security. Others say his eye has been at least partly on his ambitions for higher office — and, indeed, with a musical chairs game of epic proportion slated for 2010, Dewhurst may soon find himself vying for his next seat of power. For now, however, there’s the 81st Legislative session to think about. " - Evan Smith, Texas Monthly Talks, Broadcast 01.15.09