The Wendy Davis Filibuster: A Win for New Media

In this democracy, with its relatively low voter turnout (about 60% in 2012, depending on who you ask) and highly partisan Congress, anything that sparks engagement in the political process is a plus. Enter Texas State Senator Wendy Davis. By now, you've heard of her. But, as of Tuesday morning around 11 a.m. CDT, when she began her epic, near-eleven-hour filibuster on the floor of the Texas state senate, she was largely unknown

Davis had tweeted, to her some 1,200 followers, the night prior:

The leadership may not want to listen to TX women, but they will have to listen to me. I intend to filibuster this bill#SB5 #txlege

— Wendy Davis (@WendyDavisTexas) June 25, 2013