“ENOUGH” IS RIGHT
A RESPONSE TO CHRIS SPENCER FROM GARY VANDEAVER
Over the past few months, Chris Spencer has paid for ads in this paper, styling them as “Straight Talk.” Despite the spin Mr. Spencer puts on his topics of choice, I have chosen not to respond until now. His recent ad, titled “Enough is Enough,” crossed the line of both honesty and decency.
To read Mr. Spencer’s column, one would think that accusations of being a “Nazi sympathizer”—and more—were hurled at the third candidate in this race, which is not the case. Not by me nor anyone. Of course, Mr. Spencer doesn’t mind repeating his artfully designed accusation and buying newspaper and social media ads to propel this myth about the other candidate. Or to make people think I’m somehow behind it.
I’m a retired teacher and school superintendent—facts, integrity, and a good name matter a lot to me. If I have something to say about another person in the race, I’m going to put my name on it and it will be something of substance, not innuendo.
Where did this talk of “Nazi sympathizers” even come from? For several years, two West Texas billionaires have funded political front groups with payrolls of activists to push their political agendas. These groups have been scandal plagued for years. With every scandal, one front group is abandoned and another, with a different name, is stood up in its place. Some of the most recent scandals involve associations with a selfproclaimed fan of Adolf Hitler and backing a groomer and predator, just to name a couple.
These fringe groups are very active in Texas political campaigns, supporting some candidates and attacking others. I would not for a minute assume that everyone associated with them is complicit in their scandal or harbors their most fringe ideas, but their reputation is well established.
These groups are active in this race. In fact, they are the source of many of the ridiculous attack ads against me, with such outlandishly false claims they don’t even dignify a response. For someone so concerned with supposed attacks on other candidates, Mr. Spencer has been conspicuously silent on slanderous attacks against me. This is especially interesting because Mr. Spencer has been a longtime supporter of mine, donating $3000 to my campaigns. In fact, as recently as a few months ago (after the most recent legislative session), Chris said he was “a Vandeaver man” and would not run against me despite his future interest in the seat. That was, until he was recruited and promised funding and endorsements. Funny how quickly that can change someone’s tune.
The Truth About Vouchers
Why was Chris Spencer recruited to run against me? One word: vouchers. For months, I have shared that I voted against a private school voucher proposal despite political threats and strong-arm tactics. That is precisely why Mr. Spencer was recruited and why the D.C. voucher lobby is spending hundreds of thousands of dollars to attack me—and millions throughout the state right now.
The reasons for my opposition to the voucher plan are many but boil down to this: it was a terrible proposal for the families, schools, and communities of our district. For urban and suburban areas with a wealth of private school options, the bill would invest billions of dollars. The proposal would leave behind areas without such an array of options, like rural communities and Northeast Texas. It would lead to a monumental shift in financial resources away from our local schools and into urban centers. (The representatives being targeted by the voucher lobby right now are almost exclusively from rural and small-to-mid-sized communities.)
Moreover, the proposal would provide vouchers to those in the country illegally. In fact, as an income-based program, illegals would go to the front of the line ahead of most U.S. citizens. This is something I cannot and will not support.
Mr. Spencer and others would have you believe that is no different than undocumented immigrants attending public schools, which is a mandate from the U.S. Supreme Court. That is false. Vouchers would be a new entitlement program, providing cash handouts regardless of immigration status. That isn’t an education—that’s a magnet for illegal immigration.
Attacking Teachers
One of Mr. Spencer’s most troubling comments was belittling the career choices of public educators, saying I just “spent [my] career spending taxpayer money.” I am proud of my service as an ag teacher, principal, and school superintendent. Public schools are hugely important in communities like ours. They provide opportunity for our kids and are sources of pride for our communities. As a superintendent, I had to balance lean budgets and lead a staff of teachers and school employees whose work was rewarding yet difficult.
It is plainly evident that our local schools are not a priority for Mr. Spencer. That is the single largest point of contrast between him and me.
I am a principled Christian conservative, proud of my work to secure the border, defend children and families from radical ‘woke’ social agendas, and defend the right to life and the Second Amendment. No matter the political pressure, I will never support legislation that is bad for rural communities and Northeast Texas. If this resonates with you, I would be honored to have your vote in the March 5 Republican Primary.
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to call me at 903-733-6507.