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]