How a school voucher supporter won in a TX House district with almost no private schools

Greg Abbott felt vindicated when nine Texas Republican lawmakers who helped block a school voucher program he championed last year lost their seats in the March primary. “Nobody mentioned school vouchers; everyone that came by mentioned Colony Ridge — every one of them,” said Snider, 78, referring to the residential development north of Houston that attracted widespread criticism last year after Republicans falsely portrayed it as a magnet for criminals, drugs and illegal immigration. “But on the issue of school choice, he was arrogant.” Public schools and the voucher debate Cheer teams chant on beat during the "Meet the Wildcats" community event at Splendora High School on Aug. 16, 2024. Credit: Annie Mulligan for The Texas Tribune The "Meet the Wildcats" high school pep rally at Splendora High School in August meant everything and more to Stephanie Gundy, a self-described “new football mom” who showed up to cheer on her 16-year-old son, Amari. Credit: Annie Mulligan for The Texas Tribune “I see a concern for, ‘Who are they going to be after they walk out of these doors?’” said Schaefer, a former public school teacher who is actively involved with the local parent teacher organization. As the impasse over school vouchers drew Abbott’s ire and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton vowed revenge on Texas House members who supported the failed effort to impeach him, Bailes — who opposed vouchers and voted for Paxton’s impeachment — started receiving attention for Colony Ridge.