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Here is the Texas Minute for Thursday, February 1, 2024.

– Michael Quinn Sullivan

Democrats Urged to Vote in the Republican Primary With the primary elections in Texas quickly approaching, Brandon Waltens reports [[link removed]] that some groups are calling on Democrats to cross over and vote in Republican primaries in order to thwart conservative candidates.

Currently, in Texas, voters of any party can choose which party’s primary they would like to vote in just before casting a ballot—although it is illegal to vote in both primaries in the same year. In some districts, this means Democrats can decide at the last minute to vote in the Republican primary in order to stop a conservative candidate.

Republican activists have sought for several years to "close" the primary so that voters must declare their intention before election day. Lawmakers, having benefited from the current system, have ignored the issue.

In recent weeks, new attention has been placed on the issue after an internal memo from presidential hopeful Nikki Haley’s campaign revealed that Democrat support in open primary states like Texas could boost her chances.

Pastors for Children—a group that advocates against parental choice in education—encouraged Democrat voters in a social media post this week to vote in Republican primary elections in order to defeat pro-school choice candidates.

In Belton, where State Rep. Hugh Shine (R–Temple) is facing opposition from a pro-school choice challenger, a local Democrat was caught encouraging Democrats to vote in the Republican primary election to help Shine.

“Texas must (finally) stop letting Democrats select our Republican candidates.” – State Rep. Brian Harrison [[link removed]] (R-Midlothian) Disgraced State Rep. Frederick Frazier Loses McKinney Police Endorsement Freshman State Rep. Frederick Frazier, a McKinney Republican, has lost another local endorsement after leaving his police job in disgrace and admitting to multiple misdemeanors committed during his 2022 primary campaign. Erin Anderson has the details [[link removed]].

Members of the McKinney Police Association declined to endorse Frazier for re-election after backing him in 2022.

In December, Frazier retired from the Dallas Police Department with a dishonorable discharge rather than face possible termination. He was the subject of an ongoing internal investigation and had been placed on the Brady List of officers considered not credible when testifying at a trial.

Also in December, Frazier admitted in court to multiple crimes involving his 2022 campaign. Originally charged with felonies, the charges were reduced ahead of his pleading.

While numerous groups and organizations have withdrawn their support, Frazier still has the endorsement of Gov. Greg Abbott and Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham. U.T. Cancels Segregated ‘Cultural Graduations’ After a law banning Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion policies in higher education took effect, the University of Texas at Austin has announced it will be canceling its race-segregated “cultural graduations.” Emily Medeiros has the story [[link removed]].

Many DEI-focused programs and employees are merely changing names and titles at UT and other state institutions. The university publicly announced it would pursue the same goals and principles but use different language to conform to the law.

As for the race-based graduation ceremonies, UT officials say they are “working diligently to find an alternative home” for the programs. North Texas Candidates Compete for State Board of Education Four candidates are vying for the GOP nomination to the State Board of Education, District 12. Amelia McKenzie notes [[link removed]] that the district covers multiple counties in northeast Texas from Texarkana, along the Red River, and into Dallas.

The SBOE sets the policies and standards for Texas government schools. This includes reviewing and adopting curriculum, as well as establishing graduation requirements. The 15 members of the SBOE are elected to four-year terms, staggered every two years.

Incumbent Pam Little is being challenged by real estate agent Jamie Kohlmann, McKinney ISD Board Member Chad Green, and Dr. Matt Rostami. Only Rostami did not respond to questions from Texas Scorecard. Dallas ISD Removes Mention of LGBT Program From Website After media attention and public outcry surrounding Dallas Independent School District’s program partnering with a transgender clinic, the district has now deleted any mention of the program from its website [[link removed]].

The program was launched in 2018, initially decribed as providing teachers with intervention strategies for harassment or name-calling in schools. But after teachers and staff completed the training, they were given buttons describing them as an "advocate" for LGBT students. Later, it was revealed that the program was associated with a clinic that provides sterilizing cross-sex hormones and clearance letters for gender mutilation surgeries.

“While I am thankful that DISD has removed mention of their Out for Safe Schools program from their website, I am skeptical as to whether or not the program itself has ceased,” said Brady Gray [[link removed]] of the Texas Family Project. More School Choice Groups Wade Into Texas GOP Primaries

Conservative nonprofit groups and coalitions are converging on Texas for this year’s Republican primary to push for candidates that stand for education freedom and challenge those who do not. Luca Cacciatore reports [[link removed]] on the latest entrants' activities.

The latest group to throw its hat in the ring is the School Freedom Fund, an arm of the national anti-tax organization Club for Growth. Starting yesterday, SFF launched a $1.15 million television advertisement blitz. The group is targeting Republican State Reps. Gary VanDeaver of New Boston, Travis Clardy of Nacogdoches, Ernest Bailes of Shepherd, Hugh Shine of Temple, DeWayne Burns of Cleburne, Glenn Rogers of Graford, Reggie Smith of Sherman, and Steve Allison of San Antonio.

🔒 Donate to Texas Scorecard 🔒 [[link removed]] Number of the Day

1,954,172

Number of votes cast in the March 2022 Republican primary, compared to 1,075,601 voters in the Democrat primary. At the time, there were 17,183,996 registered voters.

[Source: Texas Secretary of State]

Today in History

On Feb. 1, 1882, construction began on the Texas Capitol. The project was funded by the sale of three million acres of public land. The Capitol cost $3.75 million, or $112.8 million in today's dollars [[link removed]].

Quote-Unquote

"If a man's from Texas, he'll tell you. If he's not, why embarrass him by asking?"

– John Gunther

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