IF YOU WILL SAY ANYTHING, YOU STAND FOR NOTHING
A Continued Response to Chris Spencer from Gary Vandeaver
Over the course of the last six weeks, our district has been subjected to one of the most disgusting election seasons I can ever recall. The truth has taken a back seat to a torrent of money and a “might makes right” approach that I cannot abide.
The out-of-state private school voucher lobby, armed by billionaire backers, has spent millions across Texas attacking any Republican who opposed their voucher legislation—legislation that would have been terribly damaging to public schools in small and midsize communities and unfairly awarded illegal immigrants ahead of most U.S. citizens.
They’ve bought off big name politicians with seven-figure checks, including the largest individual political contribution in Texas history several times over. Candidates have been recruited, provided with slick campaigns, and given aerial support in the form of attack ads without a shred of truth.
My principal opponent in this race, Chris Spencer, has pushed these lies every chance he’s had—all over the internet, on your phones, newspaper, radio, TV, the mailbox—you name it. In one of the most egregious examples, he accused me of supporting “Biden’s gun control” agenda. The bill he cited as “evidence”… supported by every Republican senator and signed by Governor Abbott.
This is a new side of Chris Spencer, someone who up until a few months ago said he supported me 100%, called himself a “Vandeaver man,” and thanked me for my service. He even gave about $3000 to my campaign. Of course, Chris also said he had a “zeal to one day serve in the Texas House.” I suppose that zeal got the better of him. Given the prospect of a shovel-ready campaign and big-name endorsements, all he had to do was adopt their talking points and say whatever it takes to win the election.
If you’re willing to say anything, you stand for nothing.
I could have avoided all of this by “getting in line” and going along with a voucher scheme that would be a raw deal for the kids, families, teachers, and schools of our district. But that isn’t why I ran for office.
I’m a retired ag teacher and school superintendent, and lifelong rancher. My wife, Pam, and I, have deep roots in northeast Texas. We raised our children here, we plan to live out our years here, and one day (hopefully long from now) we’ll rest at peace in this deep, rich soil and spend eternity with Jesus. I ran for office out of a sense of calling to stand up for the best interests of our communities, defend our traditional values, and do what’s right no matter the cost. Here lately, I’ve found out just what that cost is, but I’d do it all over again because it’s the right thing to do.
I don’t shy away from my conservative Christian values and I’m fiercely devoted to the people of northeast Texas. I will not bow to political pressure. I serve no master but Jesus and will carry the water for no one but the voters of this district. If this resonates with you, I respectfully ask for your vote for re-election.