AUSTIN - New state Sen. Konni Burton created a buzz by striding into the Senate chamber on Day 1 of the 84th Texas Legislature wearing custom-made "Stand for Life" cowboy boots, with one headline bemoaning, "It never ends for Wendy Davis."

But Davis, whom Burton replaced in Senate District 10, isn't looking for it to end.

Burton's fancy footwear contrasted the new tea party lawmaker's opposition to abortion with her predecessor's fight against tighter abortion restrictions. Davis famously wore pink Mizuno running shoes to step into the national spotlight with her abortion filibuster.

"It's a new day and because of that, I wanted to step out and represent that in a visible way," Burton wrote on Facebook. "No more pink shoe drama for SD 10!"

When I asked Davis about Burton's choice of footwear, she took some time to think about it, then struck back with themes she carried throughout her own service in the Senate and unsuccessful run for governor against Republican Greg Abbott.

"I'll believe that Ms. Burton stands for life when I see her vote to restore funding to our schools, to vote for a budget that increases funding for child protective services and that assures that low-income women have access to cancer screenings restored," Davis said. "Until then, her boots are nothing more than a kitschy statement that stand for the proposition that she believes it's OK to pick and choose between which constitutional freedoms we'll defend and which we'll ignore."

The anti-Davis

Burton, who didn't return phone calls on Friday, was busy in her district, her staff said.

The Republican from Colleyville won the seat that Davis left up for grabs with her race for governor. Davis gave up a district that she had fought to win at the ballot box and battled to preserve against GOP redistricting changes.

Burton campaigned as the anti-Davis, saying voters should pick her if "you're ready for SD 10 to have a senator who is pro-life, pro-Second Amendment and pro-liberty." She accused the Legislature - which is dominated by Republicans - of being fiscally irresponsible in its budget.

On education, Burton's focus is on reform, including merit-based compensation for teachers, according to her website. She's big on border security. She has supported legislation to curb abortions and promised to keep tax dollars from going to Planned Parenthood.

'I will be a voice'

No one should be surprised that Burton was one of only three lawmakers to vote against senators' office budgets because she thought a $2,000 monthly increase was too high, or that she wore pro-life boots.

And although Davis no longer has the platform that Burton does, no one should be surprised that she had something to say about it.

When I interviewed Davis last month in her first sit-down since losing the governor's race, she said she probably will run again, although she hasn't decided which office. She didn't rule out making another race for governor or trying to regain the state Senate seat. In the meantime, she has accepted invitations to speak at Planned Parenthood events. She said she may blog.

"I think this session, obviously, is going to be a very important one for voters to determine whether their values are truly going to be reflected in the new administration," Davis said. "I will be a voice."