BEDFORD -- In a city awaiting new toll lanes on the Airport Freeway, toll roads rolled up the most attention Thursday night in the second Kim Brimer-Wendy Davis Texas Senate debate.
Davis, the Fort Worth Democrat and challenger, accused Republican state Sen. Brimer of voting against a moratorium that could have delayed or halted plans for a Trans-Texas Corridor intrastate tollway.
Brimer replied sharply that the vote would also have delayed local projects, not specifically mentioning the $3 billion Airport Freeway widening and North Tarrant Express toll lanes.
"Once again, my opponent's facts are a little loose and fast," he said.
He said he opposed foreign ownership of toll roads, while Davis supported a local toll contract with Spanish-owned Cintra-Zachry.
Davis called Brimer "the biggest roadblock" to regional transportation.
The two exchanged criticism from the get-go. Davis said in her opening statement that Brimer has "served himself at a cost to Tarrant County families."
Brimer also criticized Davis for voting against a property tax freeze for senior citizens.
In her opening statement, Davis drew curious looks when she said she went to nearby Richland High School and "I was a Richland Rebel, as they were known back then."
The school no longer uses Confederate imagery, but its teams are still the Richland Rebels.
UPDATE: Reporter Anthony Spangler covers the forum.
--Bud Kennedy
As a Libertarian, I won't be voting for either Brimer or Davis, but based on tonight's showing, I'd take Brimer over the mudslinging, negative b*tch tactics of Wendy Davis any day. Kim Brimer at least tried to stay positive and speak to the issues, all Wendy Davis had to offer was smokin hot looks and...well...that's pretty much it.
Posted by: JS Jones | October 10, 2008 at 12:46 AM
I agree with JS Jones about Brimer except for the smokin' hot looks of Davis. Brimer has stayed positive and while working on his campaign he continues to serve the state in Austin on important committees and locally in his district. The only thing Davis can do is sling mud because she has no ideas or issues that aren't left and liberal.
Posted by: Beowulf | October 10, 2008 at 08:57 AM
I didn't see the debate, and I don't know Wendy Davis from Eve, but I would hesitate to believe that Mr. Brimer is a nice guy just because he sounded positive in a debate. He *is* a politician, remember?
Full Disclosure -- I'm in another district and I don't particularly like Mr. Brimer's voting record. I ride a bicycle and he mangled and then voted against a bill mandating three feet of clearance when a car passes a bike last year.
Posted by: bullschuck | October 10, 2008 at 11:46 AM
@bullschuck -
Oh, don't get me wrong, I'm no Kim Brimer supporter, like I said, I vote Libertarian.
But in the context of last night's event, he at least tried to have a constructive debate. All Ms. Davis could do is sling mud and offer vacant platitudes and attempt irrelevant heartstring tugging because she was a "single mom". Granted, Brimer offered his own gratuitous heartstring tugging, but afterward he tried to stayed focused and positive...again, in the context of last night's debate.
Like Wendy Davis, he's a Republicrat, so big-picture, I don't have many good things to say about the guy. He represents one faction of our one party political system.
Posted by: JS Jones | October 10, 2008 at 12:12 PM
Wonder why all of Brimer's signs are being damaged, or are just disappearing from their posts? Next day, Davis signs are on the same posts. It would be nice to see a dignified race between adults.
Posted by: marty | October 10, 2008 at 02:03 PM
So Brimer has decided to actually face Ms. Davis on some of the issues for a change instead of focusing entirely on his courtroom attempts to get her removed from the ballot. That's real big of the ol' boy.
Posted by: sgmorr | October 12, 2008 at 01:17 PM
Don't care much for Brimer either. But I won't vote for Davis. I don't think her latest "makeover" is that flattering. I want something more than "legs and lipstick"
Davis had no problem selling out to Chesapeake energy in Fort Worth. Seems rather silly when she accuses Brimer of being "bought and paid for".
Posted by: E Watson | October 13, 2008 at 09:42 AM
Don't care much for Brimer either. But I won't vote for Davis. I don't think her latest "makeover" is that flattering. I want something more than "legs and lipstick"
Davis had no problem selling out to Chesapeake energy in Fort Worth. Seems rather silly when she accuses Brimer of being "bought and paid for".
Posted by: E Watson | October 13, 2008 at 09:43 AM