Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (Republican) has accused two school principals of using their school accounts to encourage school employees to vote in Republican primaries and to endorse candidates who oppose school vouchers. It has filed lawsuits against school districts across the state for alleged violations.
Two leaked emails allegedly sent to Denton Independent School District accounts encouraged school employees to vote in the Republican primary and directed them to a scorecard showing candidates’ positions on public education funding. .
A Feb. 5 email from Alexander Elementary Principal Lindsey Lujan urged teachers and staff at schools in the district to vote in the Republican primary and included a list of state-endorsed candidates who support public education and school funding. It contained a link to. Opposes school voucher programs.
“The Texas Legislature has not increased per-pupil public school allocations since 2019, despite rising inflation! Not for any school in Texas, including Denton ISD.” [sic] “If the law doesn’t change, we will get a raise next year,” the email said in part, adding, “We need to do our part for Texas public schools!” All candidates and Here is a list of candidates or not: [they] Support or oppose public schooling. ”
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Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has filed a lawsuit against a school district in the state, accusing two school principals of violating election laws. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
According to Fox 4, Paxton responded to the email by suing Denton ISD for illegal campaign activities using taxpayers’ money.
The attorney general’s office accuses Lujan of using a district email account to compose and send the messages. The report notes that Texas election law prohibits the use of “state or local funds or other resources of a campaign district for electors who support or oppose any candidate, policy, or political party.” listed.
The lawsuit also calls into question a second email allegedly sent by Lindsay Lujan’s husband, Bowman Elementary Principal Jesus Lujan, to school staff.
“Voting in the Republican primary is especially important because voting in the primary can tell us which issues the party prioritizes,” the email said in part. “Texas always tends to elect Republicans, so we want to let the party know through our primary vote what issues we care about and how we feel about them. So, in the Republican primary, vote for candidates who support public education and school funding. “It doesn’t matter whether your party affiliation is Republican or Democratic, think ‘purple’ in future elections and vote for candidates who support public education and school funding. Regardless of party affiliation, please consider voting for candidates who will support the future of public education and funding.”
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Paxton sued Denton ISD for using taxpayers’ money to vote illegally. (Dylan Hollingsworth/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
“Please know that historically, 85% of Texas primary voters want vouchers. That’s why teachers, public school and funding advocates are so passionate about primary elections. It is very important that you attend,” he added.
The state of Texas alleges that both principals “significantly exceeded the bounds of the law.”
The school district told CBS News Texas it has not been contacted by the Texas Ethics Commission regarding the email and cannot comment publicly on personnel matters.
However, the district said it has been in contact with the attorney general’s office after the lawsuit and agrees that election laws should be followed.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s office says Texas election law prohibits the use of “state or local funds, or other resources of a campaign district, to electors who support or oppose any candidate, policy, or political party.” mentioned that it is prohibited. (AP Photo/Eric Gay, File)
“Our school board adopted board policies on elections and campaign ethics in 2018 and 2021, and we train all board members and administrators on these policies annually. It is our expectation that these policies will be followed,” the district said in a statement. “The passion of our staff to serve our students and community is undeniable. The current primary election on March 5th is especially important for public education. , and make important decisions that affect the entire district.”
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The district also encourages all registered voters to “do your homework and learn about the candidates and their positions before voting in the primary of your choice.”
Although the attorney general’s office cannot file a criminal lawsuit, it will “seek civil injunctive relief to obtain a court order prohibiting the school district from unlawful attempts to influence the election.”
