Friday morning Senator Ted Cruz announced his endorsement of Konni Burton to succeed Democrat Wendy Davis in Texas Senate District 10. Burton worked as a key grassroots leader for Cruz in Texas, playing an integral part in the much lauded “Cruz Crew” that drummed up support for Cruz across the state.
Cruz announced his endorsement Friday morning, highlighting Burton’s critical role in his stunning Senate victory. Cruz stated:
“I’m proud to endorse my good friend Konni for State Senate. She’s a tireless, unwavering warrior for the conservative cause. Konni is a fighter and will serve the people of Texas well. I urge voters in her district to support her.”
Burton announced her challenge in the critical swing district after State Senator Wendy Davis’ now infamous filibuster to block tough new restrictions on abortion clinics in Texas. While Davis later used her filibuster spotlight to enter the Governor’s race, a tough battle for the District, located in the Southern and Eastern portions of Tarrant County, is expected in November.
Burton has set herself apart from the GOP field since declaring last summer, garnering grassroots support and taking nearly 50% in a Tarrant County straw poll attended by thousands of area voters. She is also bolstered by endorsements from conservative stalwarts including Young Conservatives of Texas, Texans for Fiscal Responsibility, and Pastor Rafael Cruz, Father of Senator Cruz. Burton showed a fundraising lead over her Republican rivals in the most recent campaign finance reports.
Burton’s main competition in a field of five GOP hopefuls is former State Rep. Mark Shelton, who in 2012 failed to defeat Davis, despite Mitt Romney winning the district by over eight percentage points. The eventual winner of the GOP intra-party contest will need to excite their party base to give the Republicans a 20th seat in the Texas Senate. Early voting runs through February 28th, and Election Day in the GOP Primary is March 4th.
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