Carroll ISD’s superintendent raised electioneering concerns after the office of state Sen. Taylor Rehmet (D-District 9) requested a football game “shoutout,” emails obtained by The Dallas Express show.
Separate campaign emails dated August 31, September 18 and September 23 show fundraising appeals arriving through Carroll ISD’s email system.
Superintendent cites electioneering law
On September 4, Rehmet’s office manager and scheduler, Jaycee Hausenfluck, emailed school officials about the senator’s planned attendance at the October 16 Southlake Carroll versus Keller High School football game.
“If convenient, we would appreciate a brief mention or shoutout for the Senator during the game announcements,” Hausenfluck wrote.
Carroll ISD Superintendent Jeremy Glenn responded with information about tickets and parking but raised concerns about the requested announcement.
“With regard to the requested shout-out during the game, we do have a concern about using the stadium’s public-address system for that purpose,” Glenn wrote.
“Texas law prohibits school districts from using state or local funds or other district resources for what could be considered electioneering. See Texas Education Code §11.169.”
The law prohibits a school district’s board of trustees from using state or local funds or other district resources to electioneer for or against a candidate, measure or political party.
Campaign emails ask for donations
The August 31, September 18 and September 23 campaign messages came from info@taylorfortx.com and displayed Carroll ISD’s external-email security warning. The screenshots redact recipient details.
The August 31 message carried the subject line “We shocked them once. Let’s do it again.”
The September 18 message carried the subject line “Come and take it.” Campaign material accompanying the email promoted Rehmet’s positions and urged recipients to “Donate Today.”
The September 23 email’s subject line included: “POLL! According to Quorum Report, we’re leading by 14 points!” The message discussed Republican opponent Leigh Wambsganss and urged recipients to contribute ahead of a fundraising deadline.
“Can you chip in $5 right now to keep our lead growing?” the email asked.
The message included an ActBlue donation link for Rehmet’s campaign.
The emails do not establish how the campaign obtained district addresses or whether it deliberately targeted employees. The correspondence also does not establish that Carroll ISD made the requested announcement or used district resources to support Rehmet’s campaign.
Rehmet faces Wambsganss in the November 3 Senate District 9 election. The two also competed in the special runoff earlier this year, as The Dallas Express reported.
The Dallas Express reached out to Rehmet for comment but did not receive a response before publication.
Provided by Dallas Express
