Leticia Van de Putte

Leticia Van de Putte has proudly represented the people of San Antonio at the Texas Legislature since 1991. A practicing pharmacist since 1980, Senator Van de Putte represents a large portion of San Antonio and Bexar County. A former-five term state representative, she has represented Texas Senate District 26 since 1999.

On January 8, 2013, she was unanimously elected by her colleagues to serve as President Pro Tempore of the Texas Senate’s 83rd Regular Session. On May 4, 2013, she was sworn in as Governor for a Day. After the 2013 Legislative Session, she was named to Texas Monthly’s 10 Best Legislators List.

Prior to serving in the Texas Legislature, Leticia Van de Putte worked as a pharmacist in mental health clinics, a hospital, and her grandfather’s pharmacy, The Botica Guadalupana, before purchasing her own business, the Loma Park Pharmacy and Medical Clinic. She is now employed by Davila Pharmacy on San Antonio’s West Side.

She has been actively involved in the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL), serving as President 2006-07. She is an active member of the National Assessment Governing Board, the American Legacy Foundation Board and the National Hispanic Caucus of State Legislators where she served as President 2003-05. In October 2008, Senator Van de Putte was the subject of a book published by Texas A&M University Press titled "Latina Legislator: Leticia Van de Putte and the Road to Leadership," by Dr. Sharon A. Navarro, a professor of political science at the University of Texas at San Antonio.

Senator Van de Putte is a strong advocate for children; active duty military, veterans and their families; quality public education and the economic development of San Antonio. She has consistently authored and sponsored bills to assist small businesses in securing opportunities. Multiple civic organizations and community groups have recognized Senator Van de Putte as one of the most effective and influential legislators in Texas.

Senator Van de Putte has served on the Senate Veteran Affairs and Military Installations Committee since 1999 and as Chair since 2003. She is also a member of the Senate Committees on Business and Commerce, State Affairs and Education.

Senator Van de Putte was a Kellogg Fellow at Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government in 1993. She received her Bachelor of Science from the University of Texas at Austin, College of Pharmacy, and is a 1973 graduate of Thomas Jefferson High School in San Antonio. Senator Van de Putte lives in San Antonio with her husband Pete.

She and Pete are blessed with six wonderful children: Nichole, Vanessa, Henry, Gregory, Isabella and Paul. They are also the proud grandparents of six nearly perfect grandchildren: Julian, Jove, Marlo, Elliot, Asher and Rex, who became an angel on May 7, 2013.