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February 4, 2024
NEWS DIGEST
by Brandon Waltens
Good afternoon,
With the primary elections in Texas quickly approaching, some groups are calling on Democrats to cross over and vote in Republican primaries in order to thwart conservative candidates.
While establishing closed primaries—in which voters may only vote in the primary elections for the party they are affiliated with—has been a legislative priority of the Republican Party of Texas, the state instead operates an open primary system.
Voters of any party can choose which party’s primary they would like to vote in, although they may not vote in both in the same year.
In some districts, that means Democrats voting in Republican primary elections in safely red districts in order to elect more moderate candidates.
While the issue has been a priority of the Texas GOP, it hasn’t gotten traction in the state legislature.
In recent weeks, however, 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.
And it’s not just national politics.
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.
Similar calls have also been seen in State Rep. Glenn Rogers’ (R–Graford) district.
Christine Welborn, the executive director of the election integrity advocacy group Advancing Integrity, said it’s past time for closed primaries in Texas.
“Each party must be able to choose candidates that best represent the values of that party. We must close the primaries and end the sabotage,” said Welborn.
Featured
U.S. Customs and Border Protection released the numbers for illegal alien encounters at the southern border during December, which totaled 302,034 total encounters—the highest ever recorded in a month.
This is nearly 60,000 total encounters more than the month of November, during which Border Patrol recorded 242,418 total encounters.
State
Will the Texas Supreme Court Continue to Act Independently?
The highest court in Texas is under pressure from all sides regarding Ken Paxton.
Pro-School Choice Groups Wade Into Texas GOP Primaries
The School Freedom Fund joins the American Federation for Children Victory Fund and other groups in pushing to bring school choice to Texas.
Trump Endorses David Covey: It’s Time to Fire Dade Phelan
A poll released Tuesday morning showed Covey leading Phelan by 7 percent.
Local
Texas Education Agency Takes Over Scandal-Plagued La Joya School District
TEA appointed a new board and superintendent to temporarily oversee the South Texas district.
Llano High School Says Sexually Explicit Book Review Will Take 22 Years
A local citizen challenging nearly 200 books for inappropriate sexual content has been told it will take a month to review each book.
Houston Police Department Revises Body Cam Policy
The new policy revision means the camera will be recording constantly, rather than only when an officer hits record.
Federal
States Supporting Texas Against the Biden Administration Over Border Invasion
While over two dozen Republican governors have voiced support for Texas, their material commitments remain an open question.
Under Joe Biden, Border Patrol is a ‘Border Processing’ Agency
U.S. Rep. Michael Cloud says that Alejandro Mayorkas has been “disobeying and subverting” Congress on the border.
Texas GOP Chair Endorses Donald Trump for President
He also reiterated his support for David Covey, who is challenging House Speaker Dade Phelan in the upcoming primary election.
Quoting...
“Liberty, once lost, is lost forever.”
- John Adams
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