Marc LaHood, a Republican candidate for Texas State House District 121, has criticized his primary opponent, incumbent Rep. Steve Allison, accusing him of not representing the values of the district. LaHood referred to a bill Allison authored in the 87th Legislative Session, HB 445, which he alleged would mandate Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) practices in public schools.
Marc LaHood's Twitter Statement
| Marc LaHood's Twitter Account
LaHood has made several statements about his opponent. "On Rep. Steve Allison: "He doesn't represent our conservative values," said LaHood. He added, "I don’t want the woke agenda pushed on my children or your children." According to LaHood's campaign website, he accuses Rep. Allison of introducing legislation that "would have required our public schools to propagandize our children" with "diversity, equity and inclusion," terms which LaHood labels as "divisive ideology."
Allison received an endorsement from the Texas State Teacher's Association (TSTA) in 2022. The TSTA is a professional organization for teachers in Texas that frequently lobbies local and state governments. While Texas does not officially have teacher's unions, the TSTA maintains an official partnership with the National Education Association (NEA), recognized as the largest teacher's union in the United States.
According to records on the Legislature's website, Allison voted for an amendment on HB 1 during the 4th Special Session that eventually prevented the bill from passing. HB 1 proposed creating an Education Savings Account program commonly regarded as a school choice program.
Allison is currently serving as a Republican incumbent in House District 121. As per Ballotpedia data, he first assumed office in 2019. Before joining the Legislature, he pursued a career as a business attorney.
As stated on his campaign website, LaHood is a native of San Antonio. He earned degrees from Texas Military Institute, Trinity University, and Saint Mary's University Law School before practicing as a criminal defense attorney in Texas. He is married and has four children.
