Good morning,

Yesterday, we asked readers about the candidates seeking the GOP's presidential nomination in the March primary. The response was... well... "yuge."

But first, here is the Texas Minute for Thursday, January 4, 2024.

– Michael Quinn Sullivan 

Abbott Bucks Phelan, Criticizes Democrat Chairs in Texas House

• Gov. Greg Abbott is expanding his criticism of incumbent members of the Texas House, blasting one lawmaker for helping place Democrats in leadership positions. Brandon Waltens has the details.
       

• This marks the first time Abbott has criticized the House GOP practice of allowing Democrats to serve in leadership positions. Speaker Dade Phelan has said he would continue the practice.
      

• Abbott directed his comments at State Rep. Justin Holland (R-Heath), who was one of 21 Republicans to join with Democrats in killing the governor's marquee legislative initiative (school choice) in November.
      
• In addition to killing school choice, Holland has raised the ire of Second Amendment advocates, and he voted to impeach Attorney General Ken Paxton.
      
• The Rockwall County Republican Party, Holland's home county, has issued a condemnation of the lawmaker. In a recent statement, they described him as "increasingly unresponsive to voters and the Republican Party." 
      
• Holland has two challengers in the GOP primary: former Trump spokesperson Katrina Pierson and businessman Dennis London.

Biden Administration Asks Supreme Court for Approval to Cut Texas’ Wire Fences

• In an ongoing legal feud between the state of Texas and the Biden administration, the U.S. Supreme Court has been asked to allow border patrol agents to cut Texas’ concertina wire fencing. As Will Biagini reports, the fencing was erected by the state to halt illegal crossings at the Texas-Mexico border.

      
• The administration argues the so-called "Supremacy Clause" of the U.S. Constitution should be read to allow federal agents to cut the fencing.
    
• The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals had blocked federal officials from cutting the fences and otherwise tampering with Texas' border security measures. 

Border Patrol Officer Charged with Human Smuggling

• Even as the Biden administration reduces border patrol agents to “aiding and abetting” the crisis of illegal crossings, a now-former Customs and Border Protection officer has been indicted for smuggling illegal aliens into the United States. Erin Anderson has the story.

      
• Emanuel Celedon was charged in November with bribery and drug trafficking. He is accused of smuggling four undocumented aliens to the U.S. on two dates in September and November.
     

• Two Mexican nationals illegally residing in the U.S. are also charged in the case, as is a woman from Cotulla, Texas.

School Caught Hiding Student’s Gender Confusion from Parents

• A North Texas school district has been caught hiding vital information from parents regarding the mental health issues of students who believe they are “transgender.”
        
• The government watchdog group Citizens Defending Freedom announced an investigation into the Anna Independent School District after a mother there alleged a violation of her parental rights.
      

• CDF’s investigation revealed that Anna ISD had adopted a practice of maintaining both a “permanent record” that includes the student’s birth name and assigned sex and a “non-permanent record” that reflects a name change typically associated with a gender identity transition.
     

• According to CDF, Anna ISD’s “transgender” policy violates parental rights under the Texas Education Code.
      

• The school district has not responded to requests for comment on the specific matter or their general policy.

Pro-Life Group Takes on Abortion Travel Funds

• A pro-life group has issued a subpoena to three Texas abortion groups that are attempting to use taxpayer money from the city of San Antonio’s “Reproductive Justice Fund.” Emily Medeiros reports that the San Antonio Family Association wants access to all documents and evidence relating to the groups’ abortion trafficking and abortion-procurement activities.
        
• Back in September, the San Antonio City Council allocated $500,000 of taxpayer money to create the fund. Those dollars are then to be distributed to various nonprofits providing “reproductive healthcare.” The SAFA contends the dollars are being used to subvert Texas' pro-life laws that make abortion generally illegal in the state.
       
• The three organizations in question are Jane’s Due Process, the Buckle Bunnies Fund, and the Lilith Fund for Reproductive Equity—all of which are alleged to be involved in criminal abortion trafficking and abortion-procurement activities. 

Orr Enters Race to Lead Harris County GOP

• When Republicans in Texas’ largest county head to the polls in the upcoming primary election, among their choices will be the decision as to who will lead the local party in the state's largest county. The race sees businessman and activist Bobby Orr challenging incumbent Cindy Siegel.

         

• Orr wants to focus on electing conservatives to local offices, such as the county commissioner’s court, city councils, and school boards.

      
• In his campaign announcement, Orr took aim at perceived problems in the county party, “including spending hundreds of thousands of dollars on lawyers for unwinnable court cases, declining number of Precinct Chairs, as well as the party’s reliance on outdated voter data.”
      

• Siegel, who formerly served as the mayor of Bellaire, was made the chair of the Harris County GOP in 2022. Christopher Zook, a spokesman for her campaign, accused Orr of ignoring the accomplishments of the party and called on him to drop out of the race.

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Quote-Unquote

"Liberty without virtue would be no blessing to us."

– Benjamin Rush​

Y'All Answered

Two months out from Texas' Republican primary, eight candidates will be on the ballot seeking the GOP presidential nomination. Yesterday, we asked readers who they are currently supporting.

And a sampling of the responses I received...

• “Proudly supporting Donald J. Trump to lead our country back from the precipice where the USA now dangerously clings to life!” – Kathy Fisher
      

• “Only Trump has the courage, commitment, and cash to challenge the corruption Democrats have brought to the election process.  Without honest elections, our republic fails.” – Henry Wulff
     

• “Trump Train 2024 baby!  Aside from President Trump, there is no one more capable than him to take on the swamp!” – Jeff Martinez
      

• “I support Trump because ‘Promises Made, Promises Kept’ needs a revival of righteousness both in the White House as well as the public house.” – Laura Nunn
      

• “I am in for Vivek! Even though I don't agree with 100% of his ideas, he is far and above the rest for getting our country back on track.” – Mathew Howard
       

• “What is this...Donald Trump and the 7 Dwarfs?” – Rowland Greenwade
      

• “I chose Trump because of all that he did as president. I do not agree with everything he did, especially some things during COVID. But, I do appreciate that he tells it like it is and gets things done. Also, he loves America and speaks of Christianity in a positive light.” – Cathy Blake
      

• “I like Vivek. He is great at facing the lies and corruption of the mainstream media, and he isn’t a senior citizen yet. It’s time to get some new and younger candidates in the office.” – Karen Tinney
      

• “I was looking for a ‘None of the Above’ button to press, but didn’t find one. But that is my choice.” – Philip Johnson
      

• “I chose TRUMP! Why bother with others when you already have a PROVEN CANDIDATE!” – John Makow
      

• “There is only one candidate. Trump 2024.” – Don Hills
       

• “I am for Donald Trump because he has proven what he can and will do for the US and because woke and crazies are against him.” – Rosemary Teel
      

• “I picked Vivek. For VP.” – Corey Mayo
      

• “Donald J. Trump is the only candidate on this list who is capable of Making America Great Again.” – Gail Hanna
      

• “If the left hates Donald Trump, that says most of what I need to know.” – Dale Zuck
      

• “Nikki Haley is the candidate that appeals to the widest range of voters. She's not too old (Trump), she's not too inexperienced (Ramaswamy), she's not too abrasive (Christie), she's not an unknown (Binkley, Hutchinson, and Stuckenberg). DeSantis is my second choice. The 'debates' had no influence on the choices.” – Thomas Camardo
      

• “Although I would very much advise Donald Trump to become more restrained in his calling people by hateful names, I do know that he is the only candidate that has the backbone to stand up for our country.” – Margie Barlow
      

• “Even though I applauded many of the great things that President Trump achieved during his term in office, he remains his own worst enemy. He was humiliated by a corrupted, stolen election process but, unfortunately, not humbled by it. If there weren't so much baggage involved, and if the integrity of our national elections were upheld, he would easily be a shoo-in. Unfortunately, neither is the case. Having done what he's done so far in the state of Florida, I believe Governor DeSantis is a better candidate.” – Randy Miller
      

• “Donald Trump is America’s answer to totalitarianism.” – Glenda Piacenti
       

• “The fact that I continue to see the other candidates acting as if they have a chance against Trump is simply astonishing.  The fact that there remain anti-Trumpers spewing unwarranted vitriol after his many accomplishments proving his commitment to liberty and the restoration of American greatness is also astonishing!  May the disruption of the political establishment continue and increase!” – Roger Taylor
      

• “There is only one on that list that has proven he can handle whatever is thrown at him.” – Jim Stewart
       

• “Actually, I could go either DeSantis or Trump. Is Trump too damaged, or does he carry too much baggage? Perhaps. But if he makes it through the gauntlet on top, then I'm comfortable supporting him.” – Jeff Harrison

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