Abbott’s Voucher Victory Sparks Democratic Battle: Can Swift Flip District 121?

Governor Greg Abbott has declared victory in his voucher fight, but Texas Democrats are gearing up to flip enough seats in November to stop the Governor’s top priority.

There are a little more than a dozen races to follow, and according to State Representative Gina Hinojosa, only three more Democratic seats are needed to block vouchers again.

“We need to elect about three more Democrats to the Texas House to defeat vouchers and defend our neighborhood public schools,” she said.

One of these flippable seats is House District 121, where Laurel Swift challenges Republican Candidate Marc LaHood, a prominent lawyer who defeated incumbent Rep. Steve Allison in the GOP primary.

Who is Laurel Swift?

Laurel Jordan Swift, whose family has been deeply rooted in the District 121 community for over seven decades, is a San Antonio native and a testament to resilience and dedication. According to her campaign website, her extensive background in biology and medical sales, combined with personal experiences in healthcare advocacy and raising a successful family, shapes her commitment to public education and mental health reform.

Her key priorities include expanding Medicaid to increase healthcare access for low-income Texans and reduce local hospital burdens. She advocates for boosting public school funding and opposing private school vouchers while supporting improved teacher pay and trade education. Swift also calls for repealing restrictive abortion laws and enhancing support for young parents. On border policies, she urges federal action for comprehensive solutions and opposes using state resources to address national issues.

Outlook for District 121

District 121, covering Alamo Heights, Terrell Hills, Olmos Park, and parts of North San Antonio, has long been a Republican stronghold. However, recent elections have seen shrinking margins of victory for the GOP, providing a glimmer of hope for Democrats aiming to flip the district. This year, the Democratic campaign is being managed by Ashley Cham, a newcomer to San Antonio provided by the Blue Leadership Collaborative (BLC), as first reported by San Antonio Express-News. 

BLC combines practical political training with personal development, preparing campaign managers not only for the strategic aspects of campaigning but also for the emotional and mental challenges.

The Texas Democratic Party, through BLC, is funding campaign managers like Cham to support competitive races, providing expertise and strategic guidance at no cost to the candidates.

With Marc LaHood, a local attorney and GOP nominee, running on a right-wing platform, Democrats hope that voters will view him as too extreme.

LaHood emerged as a prominent figure with significant support from Governor Greg Abbott. LaHood’s campaign received a substantial boost, with Abbott’s funding accounting for approximately 81% of his campaign finances.

His primary contest with incumbent Democrat Steve Allison was marked by a deluge of TV ads and mailers, heavily funded by donations from groups advocating for the use of public tax dollars for private school tuition. Allison, a firm supporter of public education, had previously voted against a voucher-like measure, aligning himself with the 21 Texas House Republicans who blocked the passage of such vouchers despite Abbott’s threats and endorsements.

Abbott’s support was a decisive factor, as he endorsed and heavily financed candidates challenging Republicans who opposed vouchers, including LaHood. Abbott contributed nearly $700,000 to LaHood’s campaign.

Following his victory, LaHood asserted that District 121 voters support private school vouchers. He emphasized that education is about securing the best opportunities for children, free from political labels.

Meanwhile, Swift states that when it comes to vouchers, “we must resist efforts to divert funds to private and homeschooling, which lack accountability.”