Two state legislators are running to represent a demographically changing senatorial District 10: the incumbent, Democrat Sen. Wendy Davis, and Republican state Rep. Mark Shelton.
Davis, who defeated an entrenched incumbent four years ago, did not take long to make her mark on the Senate, enhancing the populist image she honed as a forceful but consensus-building member of the Fort Worth City Council.During her first term in Austin, she emerged as one of the best-known and most respected Democrats in the Legislature and, as a result, the most targeted by the political opposition.Davis is a successful attorney with a powerful personal narrative, the story of a woman who overcame obstacles to achieve at the highest level. At 19, she was a single mother who began to work her way through school beginning at what is now Tarrant County College, eventually earning a law degree from Harvard with honors.Because she understands the value of education, she fought hard in the last legislative session against large funding cuts for public schools and universities, filibustering a bill that ultimately resulted in the state losing more than 28,000 education jobs.Davis has also been a champion of women's health issues, consumer protection and a bill to replenish funds for the Children's Health Insurance Program, legislation her opponent -- a physician -- voted against.Shelton also was one of only eight House members to vote against the "Rape Kit Bill," which Davis sponsored in the Senate and which received unanimous approval there. The bill's mandate is to reduce the backlog of untested rape kits held by law enforcement agencies, thus helping to ensure justice for numerous victims of sexual assault.During this year's legal battle over redistricting, after the GOP-dominated Legislature redrew her district to favor a Republican and greatly gerrymandered four new congressional districts, Davis was a leader in the successful litigation effort to undo some of the legislative damage for this year's elections.District 10, which covers parts of south and Northeast Tarrant County (including Arlington, Mansfield, Colleyville and sections of Fort Worth), is one of the most diverse senatorial districts in the state. The ethnic makeup is 48 percent Anglo, 29 percent Hispanic and 19 percent black.Shelton touts his conservatism and his fight against raising taxes. Unfortunately, his solution to almost every major state issue, including education funding, is to help businesses grow and create more jobs, thus expanding the economy.Because Davis has legal clients that are public entities, including Dallas/Fort Worth Airport and the North Texas Tollway Authority, her opponent charges that she is using her legislative position to enrich herself. Shelton has not provided proof for those accusations. Davis acknowledges that she should recuse herself from voting on some legislation the tollway authority will push in the next session.Davis is a tough fighter, a conscientious public servant and an able leader.The Star-Telegram Editorial Board recommends Wendy Davis for state Senate District 10.Have more to add? News tip? Tell us
