The primary politics of 'school choice'
"If you want your voice heard, March is the time to speak," State Rep. Gary VanDeaver said.
AUSTIN (Nexstar) -- Texas Gov. Greg Abbott proclaimed this week "School Choice Week" on Sunday, putting a spotlight back on the issue turning Republicans against each other in contentious primary races for the Texas House.
"Each year, the last week of January is dedicated to celebrating the impact that education freedom can make on children, families, and our entire state," Gov. Abbott wrote. "I encourage all Texans to become familiar with the many educational opportunities available and find ways to support educators serving across our state."
Meanwhile, he's encouraging Texas Republican voters to throw out their representative for new candidates friendly to his cause.
Abbott staked enormous political capital on his plan to subsidize private education with state money, calling for "universal" education savings accounts that would help families move their children out of public school. But after an entire legislative session and four special sessions, about two dozen Republicans blocked his plans.
"This bill was just not good for our district. It was harmful to the school districts," East Texas representative Gary VanDeaver said. He's one of the rural Republicans who voted against education savings account programs at every turn, arguing the plan would hurt his small school districts.
"This bill would have shifted billions of dollars to the urban and suburban schools. We don't have options in our district for private school. So it was just bad for the district," he told Nexstar. "Nothing personal, nothing really even political about it. It was strictly policy-driven."
VanDeaver is one of the 16 school voucher opponents running for re-election. He's also one of only three incumbents who are losing the fundraising effort. VanDeaver's opponent Chris Spencer has raised about $110,000 more than him, and statewide Republicans are mounting attacks against him.
Late last year, Abbott unveiled a slate of endorsements in House races. He excluded all Republicans who voted against education savings accounts.
Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller also cut an advertisement to attack VanDeaver, pointing to his record of voting against "school choice."
"It's time for change," Miller says in the 30-second spot. "In the Republican primary, vote no against Gary VanDeaver."
After nearly 10 years in the House, in which he established a conservative record, VanDeaver said he's disappointed with the current Republican infighting.
"It's kind of uncharted territory for me because I've always had the governor's support. It's just unfortunate that I find myself where I do, but that's politics and we'll be OK," VanDeaver said. "I'm looking forward to working with the governor again to pass conservative priorities next session. I'm a little puzzled and disappointed about where we are, but it's not the end of the world."
On both sides of the issue, stakeholders are stressing the importance of the primary. In Texas' mostly uncompetitive House districts, the future of public policy is decided in March -- not November. Gary VanDeaver, for example, has never faced a Democratic opponent in five election cycles.
"If you want your voice heard, March is the time to speak," he said.