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Wendy Davis defends Sexual Assault victims, visits Houston City Hall

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The heat is on for the Governor’s seat in Texas and State Senator Wendy Davis D- Fort Worth is still fighting strong as she held a press conference, Monday July 11, 2014 on the steps of Houston’s City Hall backing up her new commercial ad about Texas rape procedures and her competitor, Attorney General Greg Abbott.

Davis along with colleagues State Representative Senfronia Thompson, City Councilwoman Ellen Cohen, District C and a rape survivor who testified for Davis when introducing Senate Bill 1191 and 1192, Lavinia Masters, spoke about what SB 1636,1191 and 1192 really is in context to everyday life.

“It was a privilege to work with State Senator Davis on SB 1636,” said State Rep. Thomas. “1 in 3 rapes are reported, there aren’t enough designated facilities to treat rape victims and it is a travesty.”

SB 1636 is a bill written by Davis relating to the collection, analysis, and preservation of sexual assault or DNA evidence. In the state of Texas there were close to 18,500 untested kits until State Senator Davis worked her fiscal magic and found $11 million to go back and test the back logs of thousands of violations.

All emergency rooms are required to have personnel who can collect evidence from sexual assault victims as of September 1, 2013 by way of SB 1191. If by chance a victim goes to a medical facility that isn’t equipped to do proper testing and collections, the medical institution has to stabilize the patient and then give the option whether they want to go to a facility that offer the service.

The elected officials used rape victim, Nicole Anderson as their example for why SB 1191 is so important as she drove 50 miles and went to 3 hospitals before she could find a facility that could perform a rape kit on her in Dallas, TX.

The process of vindicating sexual assault victims in Texas, even right here in Houston has proved to be at a turtle’s pace as Councilmember Ellen Cohen, District D confided there were 6,663 untested rape kits, in the city before SB 1192. This bill allows sexual assault victims, the guardian of a victim, or a close relative of a deceased victim rights about the notification of evidence that was collected from their assaults, including when evidence collected during the investigation of the assault is submitted to a crime lab for analysis.

Lavinia Masters was raped at the age of six. A rape kit was performed on her and it was stored for 20 years. After two decades it was tested and the DNA matched for the aggressor but the statute of limitations had ran out and he couldn’t be prosecuted for his crime. Masters did not receive justice.

Lavinia Masters speaking.
Lavinia Masters speaking.

When Davis introduced these bills, Masters willingly gave her testimony as she did again on the steps of Houston’s City Hall.

“Wendy Davis listens to survivors and she fights for us,” said Masters.
State Senator Davis stepped up to speak with the sun blaring down on her. She thanked her colleagues and praised Masters for her courage. But took no time diving in to say how her legislation helps to protect everyone from sexual predators.

“These bills give us freedom from fear and now they will know justice will be done and on the first try,” said Davis.

She explained the bills and how they work but didn’t forget to bring up how Attorney General Abbott sided against a rape victims lawsuit when he sat as a judge on the Texas Supreme Court. This was the basis of her latest commercial.

In the commercial, which is based on a true story, a woman is sexually assaulted by a door to door salesman who sold Kirby vacuums. When she sued Kirby it went all the way to the Texas Supreme Court where Abbott, solely, voted against the victim, stating it wasn’t Kirby’s fault for not providing proper background checks.

Davis is proving to be a strong contender for the women’s vote in this election, whereas Abbott is known to pull a strong voting base from women through his work with Child Support Services through Attorney General.

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Wendy Davis, 100 days left in race for Texas Governor’s seat

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Democratic Gubernatorial Candidate State Senator Wendy Davis at volunteer event in Houston
Democratic Gubernatorial Candidate
State Senator
Wendy Davis at volunteer event in Houston

Democratic Gubernatorial Candidate State Senator Wendy Davis rallied to a full house of supporters who came out to train as volunteers for the last 100 days until the November election.

The Iron Workers facility in South Houston was jammed packed with an eclectic mix of people who cheered loudly and proudly as Davis walked up on stage.

“I have worked other campaigns but this one is special. I feel like Wendy can do wonders for Texas, ” said Penny Taylor, a young woman who attended the rally.

Davis has earned a reputation for standing up during difficult decision times but also for her grassroots campaign. She has earned the most donations from small donors in a record time and she is far from over.

Greg Abbott was the focus of her speech as he is her contender. But her main focus was the momentum of her volunteers.

“I am grateful to each and everyone who believes it can be done and with each and every one of us it can be done,” said Davis.

Davis gave an update about the work she is doing now in the legislature by filibustering again but this time for education.

According to Davis, Abbott has been fighting 600 schools in court for budget cuts close to $5 billion. Davis claims she has fought hard to restore 3.5 billion back to those schools.

“I value the importance of the schools. My values are roots that every child should be able to reach their dreams,” said State Senator Davis.

The State Senator has campaigned on the aspect that she is a hard working woman who has earned her stripes. She prides herself in not being an “insider” and states her and Abbott are two very different people running for the same office.

“We’ve seen in 14 years Austin insiders. They have ignored our votes and taken our votes for granted,” echoed Davis throughout the room. “People have woken up to the strength of their own voices. People think Texas can’t be won by a woman with a D by her name. I have stood for hard working Texans even when I knew I wouldn’t win. It means something to me.”

Davis appraises herself as Governor who would bring tax dollars to Texas and spend them inside Texas, having sound economic policies and someone who will not be up for sale.

Wendy Davis taking an "usie" with the volunteers after her speech.
Wendy Davis taking an “usie” with the volunteers after her speech.

The Sun had an exclusive interview with State Senator Wendy Davis after her rally speech where we has a brief discussion about her last 100 days campaigning.

Sun: What do you see happening with volunteers in the next 100 days?

Davis: “In the next 100 days I expect our volunteer numbers are going to continue to swell. We already have over 27,000 people volunteering in this campaign. It’s historic, there has never been anything like this in the state before. I am sure that it will continue to grow and those conversations that are so important with voters to make sure we have someone in the Capital who will represent all hard working Texans and not an insider representing only an inside few. Those conversations are going to make the difference in the race.”

Sun: How did the filibuster about education help draw people to you?

Davis: “The number one issues in this race is education. I talk to parents and teachers every single day and they want to see someone who is going to make sure that we once again make education a priority, that we fund it properly and focus on early childhood education and get kids doing well before we lose them forever and those will be my priorities as governor.”

Sun: What can I tell The Houston Sun readers about Wendy Davis that they don’t already know?

Davis: “Tell them that she’s a fighter and that she stood and fought against a 5 1/2 billion dollars in cuts to public education while Greg Abbott has been fighting for three years in court to defend those cuts and that’s what they need to know about the two people who are asking for the privilege to serve them.”

Managing Editor, Myra Griffin interviews Democratic Gubernatorial Candidate Wendy Davis PhotoCred: Justin Schooler
Managing Editor, Myra Griffin interviews Democratic Gubernatorial Candidate Wendy Davis
PhotoCred: Justin Schooler
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Wendy Davis campaigns for governor of Texas at Texas Southern University

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SunPhoto/Myra Griffin Wendy Davis surrounded by supporters as she visits Texas Southern University
SunPhoto/Myra Griffin
Wendy Davis surrounded by supporters as she visits Texas Southern University
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State Senator Wendy Davis (D-Texas), has thrown her hat in the race for Governor of Texas and has begun her campaign tour in preparation for the 2014 elections. Upon visiting Houston, one of her stops brought her to Texas Southern University, where she spoke to a overflowing auditorium of Wendy fans in the Barbara Jordan- Mickey Leland School of Public Affairs.

Davis increasing popularity stems from her poignant stand for women’s rights in June 2013 which she filibustered for close to 12 hours in order to block passage of a bill that would deny women the right to have abortions. Her unabashed protest garnered the respect of colleagues and people around nation. Wendy Davis became a household name and now she is ready to become the governor of Texas.

“I can’t wait to see a woman and a democrat as governor of this state. If Texas goes blue that’s it for the country. We can do it. We have the people and if we get the corruption out and get the young people registered to vote we can do this,” said Nan Toole, a Davis supporter. “She has created so much excitement I’m just thrilled. I think Wendy is awesome, she has great integrity and intelligence, I think she’s a great leader and such a contrast to what we have now.”

Many supporters that populated the room were there to see Davis, but many came in order to get tips on how to become a deputy registrar for the next election cycle. The Davis campaign is aware that it will be a fight to win an election in a republican red Texas. Constituents like Toole, have been on the move in respects to registering voters as she alone signed up over 2,000 voters since the last presidential election in 2012. Toole is excited to get going again for Wendy Davis and so are so many others.

State Senator Davis’s affinity for equal pay for equal work, ending workplace discrimination and women’s health is giving her a leg to stand on and numerous kudos that’s building momentum for the upcoming election cycle. Her colleagues, State Representatives Harold Dutton and Ron Reynolds joined her at TSU showing a support system from within the State Senate.

As she slid behind the podium to speak the auditorium erupted in applause. Davis beamed a wide smile as she started her speech reflecting the same amount of excitement as the crowd before her.

“I’m so excited about this race,” said Davis. “With your help I can be the 48th governor of Texas.”

Her speech was more than the average vote for me rhetoric. Davis reminded the crowd about the importance of giving and having a voice. She urged voter registrars to remember that their work is powerful and they help others get their voices heard.

“Use your voice in a very important way especially in the election cycle,” said Davis.

Davis told her story and the journey she took from being a single mom living in poverty and facing the challenges of how to care for a young daughter as a single parent.

The opportunity to care for her (Davis daughter) came from being able to get an education at a community college and my community opened that door for me,” said the State Senator. “It landed me at Harvard Law School and ultimately put me right here in front of you and able to serve you in the Texas Senate.”

Her priorities lie with family, education and jobs. She touched her supporters by letting them know that she would make family important, education a priority, and that every Texas family will be able to play a role in the economy by making sure they have a good job and take care of their families.

“That will be the most important work for the next 13 months, making sure people embrace the power that they have and they believe that they can play a role in what happens to their future and their families future,” said Davis. “Our people are staying home in our state and I think they are staying home because they don’t think their voices matter. They are accustomed to failed leadership and they have stopped listening to the things that matter to them and we will invite them to believe. I believe 100 percent that we are going to change the face of leadership in Texas.”

Davis encouraged those present to get deputized to register voters. She professed that she will need all of their help to win.

“They are already counting us out and I’ve had people count me out before, but the Senate seat I represent wasn’t drawn out for a democrat and some people may say the state of Texas isn’t ready for a democrat to lead the state but they are wrong,” said Davis.

Supporters present are ready to see the change in leadership and political parties as many talked about the state of Texas turning purple then eventually blue which will drastically change the demographics politically in the Lone Star State.

“As a member of Battleground Texas, I’m very supportive of Wendy Davis and I’m excited,” said Earnest Goodrich, Sr., supporter of Davis. “When she stood up for those 11 hours and filibustered fighting for women she was fighting for everybody. I like the fact she is a person that is willing to take on the republican dinosaur that still in power and she can be the next democratic governor of Texas .She can turn Texas purple and eventually blue, she wants to lead and I’ll follow in that effort.”

Davis said her belief in the promise of Texas is why she is running for Texas. She wants to renew and restore a commitment to the state and that every Texan can have an opportunity regardless of where they come from. Amongst her high hopes, she is aware that there is much work to be done for the fight to become the next governor of Texas.

There have only been two women to be elected as governor of Texas in the past. Miriam A. Ferguson served twice from 1925-1927 and again 1933-1935 and Ann Richards from 1991-1995.