Governor Abbott’s campaign got a historic $6 million, the largest single political donation in Texas ever, from GOP’s billionaire donor, Bloomberg reported. The donation comes at a time when the tensions between Texas Governor and the U.S. government are at an all-time high due to the border crisis.
The Man Behind the Donation
The historic donation was made by Jeff Yass, whose net worth is approximately $29.3 billion. He donated millions to campaigns, mostly in his home state, Pennsylvania. Yass is a founder of Susquehanna International Group, an investment company and the wealthiest man in Pennsylvania.
Abbott’s Fundraising Power
Those who followed the Texas Governor’s campaigns through the years know he had some of the most impressive donations. Abbott previously made headlines for getting $1 million in donations, though this one dates back to December 18 and is by far the most remarkable.
Yass Donates to the Club for Growth
The billionaire is part of the Club for Growth group, the national anti-tax group with strong supporters in Texas lawmakers, including Chip Roy and Ted Cruz.
Yass is Pro-School Choice Programs
The billionaire had already given the Texas governor around $250,000 earlier in 2023 while Abbott was fighting for school vouchers. Abbott called several special sessions last summer and fall, expecting to pass a bill allowing taxpayer money to fund a student’s private school education, which Yass supported.
Abbott Raised $19 Million in Six Months
Texas Tribune reported that the Governor raised $19 million in the past six months, and he will use that funds to “target anti-voucher Republicans.” Abbott also has $38 million in cash in two other accounts.
Abbott’s Campaign Manager Spoke Up
“With the primary elections just around the corner, Governor Abbott has the resources needed to back strong conservative candidates who support his bold agenda to keep Texas the greatest state in the nation, including expanding school choice for all Texas families and students,” said Abbott campaign manager Kim Snyder.
Abbott’s Border Controversy
The Department of Justice sued the state of Texas and Governor Abbott in late December 2023 following the “unconstitutional” state-level migration penalties. According to the filing, the lawsuit targets freshly signed Texas law that would “intrude on the federal government’s exclusive authority to regulate the entry and removal of noncitizens, frustrate the United States’ immigration operations and proceedings, and interfere with U.S. foreign relations.”
Biden Administration Intervened
The president’s administration ordered Texas to stop obstructing federal agents at Eagle Pass Park, and the Department of Homeland Security gave a short deadline before involving the Justice Department.
Letter to Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton
In a letter sent on January 14, Jonathan E. Meyer, general counsel for Homeland Security, wrote, “Texas’s failure to provide access to the border persists even in instances of imminent danger to life and safety. Texas’s actions are clearly unconstitutional and are actively disrupting the federal government’s operations.”
The Move Comes After Three Migrants Drowned
Three migrants, including two children, drowned in Eagle Pass on January 12. Texas troopers and National Guard members did not “grant access” to the individuals while “in distress,” according to U.S. Democratic Representative Henry Cuellar of Laredo, the Dallas Morning News reported.
The White House is Angry
The White House statement said, “One thing is clear: Governor Abbott’s political stunts are cruel, inhumane, and dangerous,” and added, “U.S. Border Patrol must have access to the border to enforce our laws.”
Other Issues with the Border
Governor Abbott was criticized for sending busses with migrants to Democratic cities, Chicago, New York, Los Angeles, and others. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson accused Abbott of creating “chaos,” adding, “We have a governor, a governor, an elected official in the state of Texas, that is placing families on buses without shoes, cold, wet, tired, hungry, afraid, traumatized.”
Abbott’s Press Secretary Fired Back
Abbott’s Press Secretary Andrew Mahaleris told Fox News Digital that Johnson was “flat out lying,” adding, “If he truly cared about these migrants, he would stop spreading falsehoods and complaining about a few thousand migrants being bused into his sanctuary city.”
Lawsuit from New York City
New York City is suing more than a dozen bus companies for $700 million, alleging they illegally transported migrants under Governor Abbott’s directions.
Abbott’s Comment
The Texas Governor said that “Every migrant bused or flown to New York City did so voluntarily,” adding that the migrants have “have constitutional authority to travel across the country.”
The Allegations are Flying
While Abbott appears to be protecting the border, some claimed he sent busses with migrants to the blue cities without any notification. California Governor Newsom blasted Abbott and Florida’s DeSantis for allegedly coercing migrants on buses and planes, trains, porting them to foreign cities.
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