A pro-amnesty organization that came under fire earlier this year for endorsing Texas Republican candidates is out with a second wave of endorsements.
Last month, the LIBRE Initiative and its partner organization, Americans for Prosperity, announced a slate of endorsements for the Texas Legislature. Both organizations are heavily funded by the Koch network, which has repeatedly led “immigration reform” efforts in Washington, D.C., including granting permanent legal status for those in the country illegally.
After Texas Scorecard reported on the endorsements, three of their endorsees for the Texas Senate—Pete Flores, Mayes Middleton, and Tan Parker—rejected the group’s support, saying they did not solicit the endorsement and did not want it.
The LIBRE Initiative and AFP then withdrew their unwanted endorsements while doubling down on their position, saying they support “creating an earned pathway to legal status for Dreamers who pass a background check, register with the government, and are either employed and/or in school.” The statement was cosigned by both organizations.
Now AFP has shed the LIBRE Initiative label in its second wave of endorsements.
On Monday, the group announced its support for the re-election of State Reps. Dustin Burrows (R–Lubbock) and Andrew Murr (R–Junction). AFP also gave its endorsement to Janie Lopez (HD-37) and Ellen Troxclair (HD-65) in their open seat races.
Texas Scorecard reached out to the new endorsees to ask for comment.
“I have not solicited or received an endorsement from the Libre Initiative,” Ellen Troxclair told Texas Scorecard. “I am against amnesty and am the only candidate in the race with a proven record on border issues, voting no against leftist efforts to fund legal aid for illegal immigrants and against leftist efforts to punish businesses that worked on Trump’s border wall.”
Troxlair added that she was “not aware of AFP supporting amnesty” but added that she had reached out to the organization and would reject the endorsement if they did.
No other responses have been received by publication.
There has been nothing but silence from four other Texas House candidates whom the organization endorsed: Adam Blanchard (HD-122), Laura Hill (HD-93), Hayden Padgett (HD-70), and Kronda Thimesch (HD-65).
The Republican Party of Texas platform, however, is very clear on its opposition to any kind of amnesty.
“Any form of amnesty with regard to immigration policy should not be granted, including the granting of legal status to persons in the country illegally,” the platform reads.
