Truitt draws primary challenger

State Rep. Vicki Truitt drew a primary challenger today as Giovanni Capriglione announced his candidacy for the District 98 seat. Truitt is the first member of the Tarrant County delegation to the state legislature to attract an opponent in the March 2010 primary.

Capriglione, 36, lives in Southlake and is a vice president with a small business investment company in Richardson. This is his first time running for public office, he said. He's in the process of setting up his campaign web site but his Twitter feed is up and running.

Truitt, a Southlake Republican, was one of the strongest proponents for a transportation funding package in the most recent legislative session. As some Republicans lawmakers and conservative groups criticized the measure, Truitt continued to push for it, acknowledging that it might lead to her attracting a primary opponent. The measure eventually failed.

At a rally on the Capitol steps in May, Truitt said, "I live in one of the most Republican districts in the state of Texas. Do you think I would be here if my people didn’t want this? They want it. And that’s why I’m willing to fall on the sword over it."

In his press release announcing his candidacy, Capriglione repeatedly criticizes efforts to place new taxes and fees on Texas residents. He is also opposed to "contemplated rail systems doomed to being delayed, over-budget and under-used," according to the release. 

-Aman Batheja

Comments

[Brown Bess]

He is also opposed to "contemplated rail systems doomed to being delayed, over-budget and under-used," according to the release.

I'd suggest Mr. Capriglione catch a TRE over to Dallas where they just opened another stretch of the very successful DART rail system. In fact, he can take it to the Fair.

Or to Phoenix, where a new rail system is more popular than even proponents imagined and contributing to an economic revival of downtown.

The Republican Party is in the process of eating itself. I hope and expect that Rep. Truitt will kick this guy's... flanks.

[Jeannine]

The fact is daily the DART loses money. Or I guess a 3000 plus a year estimated tax increase for residents here from a woman who lives in one of the wealthiest districts in Texas is no big deal.
MS Truitt should run as what she actually is and that is a democrat. I will do all I can to make sure she and every other Rhino is gone from the Texas state house and DC.

[James]

These two comments together are great - the Republican Party will eat itself and then a woman calling for the purification of the Republican Party. Shrink the tent! Keep all those nonbelievers out!

That's quite a way to win elections.