Donald Trump Makes Endorsement in Local House Race
President Donald Trump gave a nod of support last week to State Rep. Stan Kitzan, who represents Fayette County in the State House.
Trump had promised to endorse Texas House Republicans who voted in favor of the education savings account during the legislative session earlier this year. Kitzman along with nearly every Texas House Republican received that endorsement last week.
“Thank you for your recent vote in favor of the tremendous School Choice Bill, SB-2,” Trump said in a letter that Kitzman published on July 9. “Thanks to the dedication of Lone Star State Legislators like you, Texas can now empower parents to choose the school that is best for their child, a gigantic victory for Texas families! I very much appreciate your support, and never forget!”
Trump’s letter went on to state, “I am honored to give you, Stan Kitzman, my complete and total endorsement in the upcoming re-election.”
“I’m proud to have the endorsement of President Donald J. Trump in my re-election campaign,” Kitzman said in a statement last Wednesday. “We’re delivering conservative wins in Austin – securing the border, protecting Texas land, and standing strong for our values. Let’s keep Texas RED.”
The Trump endorsement should bolster Kitzman’s standing in District 85, which includes Austin, Colorado, Fayette, Waller and Wharton counties, along with a small portion of Fort Bend County. Kitzman had taken some heat from the more conservative wing of his party over votes related to the Ken Paxton impeachment and the selection for State House Speaker.
Former Flatonia mayor and councilman Dennis Geesaman announced in May that he will run against Kitzman in the Republican Primary next year. Geesaman cited Kitzman’s votes on the Paxton impeachment and the House Speaker race as reasons for running against him.
Another Republican, Alexandra Schilling of Garwood, has also announced her intention to run against Kitzman. Schilling accuses Kitzman of “taking marching orders from the lobbyists” rather than the voters of House District 85.
The Presidential endorsement could take some steam out of those campaigns, though, especially since Trump overwhelmingly carried the district in the 2024 election.