State Sen. Leticia Van de Putte (D) is running for the lieutenant governor seat of Texas this year. If she wins the election in November, she will be the first Hispanic and the first woman to hold the position in the state.

In a recent interview with Efe regarding undocumented immigrants, the San Antonio native blasted her Republican opposition for the rhetoric they use, including State Sen. Dan Patrick, a lieutenant governor hopeful, who described illegal immigration as an "invasion."

"It's disheartening to hear the Republican candidates for lieutenant governor use such a harsh rhetoric," Van de Putte said.

Texans will vote in a May 27 runoff between Patrick or incumbent Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst to decide who will oppose Van de Putte in November, according to Fox News Latino.

Texas has a population that is 38 percent Hispanic, and nearly 65 percent of the U.S.-Mexico border runs along the state's line.

Van de Putte said she understands the federal government's necessity to arrest and deport immigrants that are violent offenders and are trafficking drugs or humans, but argues against the prosecution of those who do not have criminal records.

As a resident of the state, Van de Putte said she was insulted after hearing her GOP counterpart's remarks about the state's border region.

"When Republican candidates refer to a very vibrant area of our sate as a third world and as a war zone, people of these communities are insulted," she said. "And I am insulted because I am Texan."

She also blasted Washington for its gridlock in passing a comprehensive immigration reform bill that made it through the Senate last year.

"It's very difficult when the primary goal of the Republicans is to win the next election rather than do what is right," Van de Putte lamented. "But I also know that if we had a president and the Congress working together, we can solve this and come to middle ground."