In a flurry of political maneuvering, Texas Governor Greg Abbott has intensified his involvement in the upcoming primaries by making bold endorsements, leaving lawmakers guessing about the possibility of another special session to pass school vouchers. The fourth special session concluded on Tuesday with no resolution on the contentious issue, leading to speculation about Abbott's next move.

Abbott's priority proposal, which would allow parents to use taxpayer dollars for private school expenses, suffered a significant setback last month when 21 House Republicans joined Democrats in removing the voucher provision from an education bill. Undeterred, Abbott has vowed to continue advocating for "school choice" but has remained tight-lipped about calling for another special session, fueling rumors that lawmakers might be called back to Austin before the March primary.

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has suggested a potential date for a special session, proposing that February 5, exactly 30 days before the election, would be the most opportune time. However, Abbott's spokesperson offered no concrete information about the timing of a special session, stating only that the Governor "will continue to work with Texas legislators and at the ballot box to get school choice for all Texas families."

Aside from the impasse over vouchers, other critical areas of legislation were left unresolved as both chambers adjourned. Lawmakers were unable to pass bills related to increased public school funding, teacher bonuses, and funding for school safety measures. Additionally, the House and Senate failed to reach an agreement on legislation to fix the timeline for judges to hear election contests, a matter prompted by recent lawsuits that could potentially jeopardize voter-approved constitutional amendments, including property tax cuts.

The Governor has shifted his focus to the upcoming primaries, endorsing challengers to House Republicans who opposed vouchers. Abbott's endorsements have even extended to those who have previously criticized him, demonstrating his commitment to prioritizing a pro-voucher House majority over personal grudges. Notably, Abbott has backed Mike Olcott, who is challenging Rep. Glenn Rogers, despite Rogers having donated to Abbott's primary opponents in the past. Abbott has also thrown his support behind Brent Money in a special election runoff, despite Money's past opposition to the Governor.

Abbott's endorsement spree began last week with Hillary Hickland, a pro-voucher primary challenger running against Rep. Hugh Shine. The Governor rallied supporters at an event in Belton, highlighting Shine's opposition to the majority of primary voters in his district who favored school choice. The event faced some tension, as anti-Abbott protesters voiced their opposition to vouchers.

Shine, on the other hand, held his own campaign event, where he emphasized his commitment to the community and dismissed any attempts by the Governor to intimidate him. He asserted that the representative of the district would be elected by the people, not by Abbott.

As the voucher fight continues to unfold, educators and officials in the Temple Independent School District expressed concern about the potential division within the Republican party. While supporting public schools, Superintendent Bobby Ott cautioned against feuding among party leaders, fearing that it could impact voting and elections.

As the primary season approaches, Abbott's endorsements and the unresolved voucher issue remain top concerns for Texas Republicans. The political landscape remains uncertain as candidates gear up for what promises to be a highly contested election cycle.

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