Fort Worth Business Press, June 2, 2014 Vol. 26, No. 21 | Page 25
election 2014
uburton from page 24
race. Cruz, who has since become a tea
party icon and a prospective presidential candidate, repaid the favor by endorsing Burton as a “strong principled
conservative” and appearing in her behalf at a rally before thousands of supporters in the Fort Worth Stockyards.
The runoff pitted Burton and her
tea party-themed conservatism against
Shelton, who cast himself as an experienced public servant with deep roots
in the community. A well-known pediatrician, Shelton served two terms in
the state House and was the Republican
nominee against Davis when she won
re-election in 2012.
Although Shelton was initially the
better known candidate, Burton tapped
into her highly organized tea party support to ultimately establish herself as
the front-runner. She led in the five-way
primary with 43 percent of the vote.
Shelton had 35 percent.
Now that the parties’ nominees are
in place, the general election battle for
the Senate seat is likely to be one of the
state’s most contentious as Democrats
fight to keep the district and Republicans try to take it back.
In a telephone interview, as well as in
a statement released shortly after Burton’s victory, Willis promised to “reach
across the aisle” to work with members
F
25
of both parties while asserting that Burton “seems more concerned about ideological purity and advancing the tea
party agenda than doing what is best for
the people of SD 10.”
But Burton said she planned to “absolutely” work with members of both
parties to advance a legislative agenda
accenting issues such as privacy and
transparency and attacking cronyism in
government. She also said she supports
development of transportation and water resources, but she reiterated opposition to a $2 billion drawdown from
the state’s rainy day fund that voters approved to finance a state water plan.
District 10, which covers the southern
half of Tarrant County and juts northward into Republican strongholds such
as Colleyville and Southlake, is considered a swing district whose voters lean
Republican even though Democraticinclined minorities compose more
than half the population. A Republican
victory in the pivotal Metroplex district would move the party within one
vote of having a super-majority in the
31-member Senate.
The race in some respects has become
a referendum on Davis’ two terms in
office; Democrats promise to build on
her achievements and Republicans call
for a return to conservative principles
that they say were more in line with the
wishes of district voters. n
rank Hartman and Nick Wanzor are pleased to announce the formation of Hartman Wanzor, LLP.
Hartman Wanzor will commence business on June 1, 2014 in Southwest Fort Worth. Frank and Nick
are excited to continue to serve their client base with the same personal touch that you have come to
expect over their combined 42 years of accounting, tax, and advisory experience.
www.hartmanwanzor.com
[email protected][email protected]