Houston lawyer Barbara Ann Radnofsky, who this week filed her candidacy as a Democrat for attorney general, warmed up an Austin group Tuesday by revealing that her late father taught her how to sew.

"If this (campaign) doesn't work out, I could make a hell of a tailor," Radnofsky said.

Radnofsky later elaborated, saying that Matthew Radnofsky, who was a navigator on a World War II bomber shot down over Germany, worked for NASA and developed aviator suits and space-capsule collars to keep astronauts afloat once they landed in water back on Earth. She said he also developed a life raft that doubled as a suit.

Impressed, Under the Dome sought Radnofsky's thoughts on the design of a strapless bicycle helmet.

Radnofsky sounded skeptical, though she advised: "My dear, strapless bras have been around a long time."