ABILENE, TX — In what could be interpreted as a signal of his struggle against rural Republicans who oppose taxpayer-funded private school vouchers, Governor Greg Abbott invoked a drastic measure on the first day of early voting. Former President Donald J. Trump has officially entered the Texas House race in District 71, encompassing Abilene, Cross Plains, Sweetwater, and Anson. Incumbent State Rep. Stan Lambert, a Republican, finds himself in the crosshairs of Governor Abbott's primary retaliation campaign, akin to San Angelo's District 72 Rep. Drew Darby, who faces a similar challenge for not supporting the governor's voucher legislation.
Lambert's challenger is Liz Case, a mother of four who relocated from the DFW area and owns a vacation home in Tuscola. Case, a former educator involved in non-profit work, said she was politically active in Austin during the last legislative session. She contends that Lambert doesn't uphold conservative values like she would, advocating for taxpayer-funded private school vouchers and the hiring of Christian chaplains as school counselors within public school districts.
With Trump endorsing Case, Lambert finds himself in the political battle of his career.
“Liz Case is running in Texas State House District 71 against RINO Stan Lambert, who voted to Impeach Texas’ Great Attorney General, Ken Paxton. As a State Representative, Liz will Champion School Choice, Secure our Elections, Lower your Taxes, Defend our Second Amendment, Advocate for Border Security, and Fight Back against the Woke Mob destroying our Country. Liz is strongly supported by Governor Greg Abbott, Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, and Attorney General Ken Paxton, and many other wonderful Texas Conservatives. Liz Case has my Complete and Total Endorsement!,” Trump stated on Truth Social. Source
Trump has also entered other Texas House races today:
- Mike Olcott in Texas House District 60 (Mineral Wells, Stephenville), challenging incumbent State Rep. Glenn Rogers who did not support Abbott’s vouchers.
- Alan Schoolcraft, challenging Republican incumbent voucher opponent Rep. John Kuempel for HD 44 (Guadalupe, Lockhart, Gonzales).
- Helen Kerwin, challenging voucher opponent Republic State Rep. DeWayne Burns in HD 58 (Cleburne, Glen Rose).
Notably, State Rep. Drew Darby’s opponent, Stormy Bradley, did not receive a Trump endorsement. This may indicate that only four races out of the 21 districts targeted are polling well for Abbott’s consultants. San Angelo’s District 72 is not one of those four.
In San Angelo, public support for incumbent Rep. Drew Darby has been evident. His rally for public school teachers drew over 100 attendees to the Legrand Alumni Center at Angelo State University last week. In Cleburne, embattled State Rep. DeWayne Burns held a rally where over 400 people were reported to have attended. In contrast, only about 100 people showed up to a Kerwin rally with the governor on the same day.
Earlier this month, Governor Abbott encountered a similar number of pro-Darby supporters outside the 65-person capacity Old Central Firehouse Pizzeria as there were attendees inside for the rally supporting Darby's opponent, Stormy Bradley.
Abbott will revisit San Angelo to rally for Stormy Bradley this week on Feb. 23 at the Angry Cactus at 12:30 p.m. Abbott's opponents, including Teachers for Darby and some San Angelo area Republican women's groups, are planning a counter rally outside the restaurant in support of Darby. The Angry Cactus accommodates about 100 people indoors.
Early voting for the March 5 Republican Primary Election began today (Feb. 20) and continues until March 1. Polling hours vary. Check with the elections office for times here. Election Day is March 5 from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m.
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