About Lela Pittenger
Lela Pittenger is a native Texan. She was born in Lubbock to an agriculture family and lived throughout the Panhandle and West Texas. Moving to Sherman, Texas to attend Austin College, she majored in English and put herself through college working multiple jobs and as an intern in the school's Financial Aid office. This experience in Institutional Enrollment created the opportunity to work as an Admissions Counselor for her alma mater. Lela spent two years helping families across Texas and the Southwest make their best possible decisions concerning higher education and sharing with them how they might best finance their degrees. It was during this time that Lela met her husband Greg. They moved to Dallas where she began work at a luxury retailer and pursued her Master's degree in Dispute Resolution from SMU. The growth in education and experience in the Executive Office of her employer taught her much about what it takes to bring together people with different ideas and abilities to help build a team that can achieve their goals.
While living in Dallas, Greg and Lela got the news that his grandmother had a stroke. After much prayer and consideration, they decided to move to the Texas Hill Country to live with her and help her age in her home. Commuting to Dallas on a weekly basis, Lela finished her Master's Degree in 2007 and became a full-time caregiver. During this time she has been a weekly volunteer for The Friends Foundation, volunteered in her church and taught Bible studies for a year, became a Certified Ombudsman in the state of Texas and a volunteer tax preparer for her community.
In the last few years she has become active in politics in Hays County, attending all of the 2008 Republican conventions culminating in the rare experience at the Republican National Convention in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Over the last 4 years she has moved from concerned to alarmed at the direction of the nation and is passionate about doing her part to return our nation to its roots of Judeo-Christian values and Constitutional government. It is with this passion that she has decided to run for United States Senate and give all she has to representing the values of Conservatives across Texas.
Always an out-of-the box thinker, Lela has a passion for finding new ways to solve complex issues that have so divided our nation, while maintaining a conservative approach. Some of the issues that are most important to her are protecting family values, the Economy, elections’ integrity, the takeover of Healthcare, issues with Immigration and the Border, states’ rights, U.S. sovereignty, Pro-life legislation, reform of the tax code and national disaster preparedness.
Why Lela?
Texas is going to elect a Republican to the Senate. While each in the field of candidates is uniquely qualified, Texans across the state agree that I am the best candidate because I most closely resemble what they want in a Senator--someone who is walking the same path they are. As you examine the options for your Primary vote in March, please consider the differences between myself and the other candidates.
I continually hear from Texans, "You are the most knowledgeable, most passionate, most interesting of the candidates. You are a breath of fresh air." Texans are tired of the same-old-politicians and are excited by the matchless perspective I bring to the table. They are usually surprised to hear that I am a first-time office seeker and do not have a team of political operatives pulling the strings just off-stage.
No single Senator could accomplish their political platform alone while brandishing a sword and posing for photos. With training as a Mediator, I will work for the consensus the Senate will need and realize victory will come by winning America to our cause, not by compulsion. The skills needed in the Senate are exceptionally different than those used in any other career; I encourage voters to look for the candidate who approaches this task with humility, setting aside their own ego for the sake of saving our nation.
The Lela Pittenger for U.S. Senate Campaign has been run on honest, Christian principles, in contrast to those run on vicious words, dirty dealing or sabotage. I believe a candidate who runs a clean campaign with integrity may be trusted to continue that behavior in office.
I am not interested in a career in politics nor have I used a previous government career to promote myself. Serving Texas and my country are my goals. I want to see leaders promoting the American people instead of themselves.
As a member of Gen-X, I am not only interested but invested in America's future and how we will answer an aging population. Those now under forty will gladly accept the challenges that come in the future, but they need a conservative leader from amongst them, and I will be that leader, if you will believe in me now.
I am proud of my strong Pro-Life stance. I am proud to be a woman. I am proud to be a caregiver to an infant and senior citizen at the same time. I am proud to share the "normal" American life, with its fears and joys, too. The qualities I have described above are greatly underrepresented by the political status quo. I am a conservative like other Republicans in this race but bring to the table many experiences and values they cannot.
Texans recognize that, at the end of the day, their votes will elect the next Senator; not name recognition, not money, not age, not gender, not previous positions or careers, not donors or interest groups--and yet, THOSE factors will follow the winner to Washington and will be heard. Will you be represented by them?
I believe Texas is the best state in the nation. I believe the United States of America is the best nation in the world, and I believe you and I are the best bet for its future. I look forward to meeting you and hearing your story.
Sincerely,
Lela Pittenger
