TX HD 107: Parent PAC Endorses Allen Vaught

The bipartisan Texas Parent PAC this week announced its endorsement of Allen Vaught for re-election as state representative in House District 107, which covers east Dallas surrounding White Rock Lake and parts of Lake Highlands, Garland, and Mesquite.

From the Vaught campaign press release:

“Allen Vaught unquestionably supports public education and is proactive in finding solutions that improve and strengthen our neighborhood public schools,” said Texas Parent PAC board member Pam Meyercord of Dallas. “At the Capitol, he is viewed as a strong and effective leader, a quick learner, and a gifted negotiator who relates well with both Republicans and Democrats.”

Texas Parent PAC was created by parents who joined together to elect strong and effective legislative leaders who will stand up for children and parents and strengthen neighborhood schools. In addition, a broad base of individuals and business leaders is supporting this bipartisan grassroots campaign effort.

“Allen Vaught represents the mainstream views and interests of families in East Dallas,” said Dinah Miller of the Texas Parent PAC board of directors. “His opponent, Bill Keffer, is aligned with extremist organizations that push tax-funded home-schooling and private school vouchers.” She said Keffer has been a staunch critic of public education for many years, which is why five pro-public education political committees are supporting Vaught.

Keffer served in the legislature for two sessions before being defeated by Vaught. Miller said at the Capitol Keffer voted against funding for pre-kindergarten, advanced placement and gifted and talented programs, and reading, math, and science initiatives. The extreme differences between Vaught and Keffer on public education were one reason the Dallas Morning News again endorsed Vaught and proclaimed him to be the “superior candidate.”

“Dallas families deserve to have a legislator who represents the needs of the community, not someone whose votes are based more on ideology than the public interest,” Miller added.

Vaught grew up on a ranch west of Fort Worth in a family of teachers and ranchers. He received a bachelor’s of business administration in accounting from Baylor University, where he also was a member of the Baylor football team. His juris doctorate degree was earned at South Texas College of Law.

As an attorney, Vaught has a diverse practice, ranging from representing patients with cancer and other health problems related to exposure to environmental toxins to defending doctors in malpractice cases. Vaught is especially empathetic to clients injured in industrial settings and oilfields, as he was a roughneck on drilling rigs to pay for college.

A U.S. Army reserve captain, Vaught served in Iraq for a year fighting in Operation Iraqi Freedom. He commanded one of the first units to enter Fallujah and was assigned to rebuild that city and win the hearts and minds of its citizens.

After six months in Fallujah, Vaught was transferred to focus on rebuilding and pacification of Sadr City in the Shia Muslim part of Baghdad. Vaught established relationships with hundreds of tribal leaders in that area. While transporting two daughters of a local tribal leader to an American hospital, his convoy was hit by an improvised explosive device and small arms ambush. Vaught’s injuries earned him the Purple Heart, and he was honorably discharged from the U.S. Army Reserve.

Texas Parent PAC is endorsing a small and select number of Republican and Democratic legislative candidates statewide. The PAC describes its endorsed candidates as “men and women of integrity, open and responsive to parents, actively involved in their communities, and committed to investing in public education to achieve economic prosperity in Texas.”
Parents are encouraged to volunteer in the Allen Vaught campaign, to donate money and in-kind services, and to vote and bring friends to the polls during the October 20-31 early voting period and on the November 4 election day.

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