From Salon · Amanda Marcotte · · 1m 40s
Who really controls Greg Abbott?
Texas governor Greg Abbott's education war is funded by Christian billionaires to create a theocratic state.
In brief
Texas governor Greg Abbott's education war is funded by Christian billionaires to create a theocratic state. Texas governor Greg Abbott faces re-election challenges from his Christian nationalist donors who fund his education policies to undermine public schools. Originally reported by Salon.
Greg Abbott's re-election worries
Texas governor Greg Abbott faces re-election challenges after polls show his Democratic opponent, state rep gina hinojosa, is closing in.
Abbott shifts on data centers
Abbott recently reversed his position on data centers after they grew increasingly unpopular with voters.
Abbott's education war
Abbott has maintained his all-out war on public education despite growing criticism and opposition.
Underfunded schools
Texas schools are wildly underfunded with hundreds reducing students to four days a week.
Voucher program
Abbott signed a voucher program paying parents to take kids out of public schools into unregulated alternatives.
Donor influence
Three powerful texas billionaires fund Abbott's education policies through christian nationalist donations.
Tim Dunn's influence
Tim Dunn, a texas oil billionaire, founded a school with anti-science biblical literalism curriculum.
Farris and Dan Wilks
Farris and Dan Wilks, oil billionaires, preach far-right christian views and support theocratic education policies.
University censorship
Texas universities have been forced to eliminate majors in african studies, mexican american studies, and women's studies.
Public backlash
Only 33% of texans approve of Abbott's performance on education according to a june 2026 poll.
Republican backlash
Some lifelong republican leaders are announcing they will vote for democrats for the first time ever.
Theocratic goals
Abbott's donors aim to turn texas into a far-right christian theocracy by undermining public education.
Here's the gist
Texas governor Greg Abbott faces re-election challenges from his Christian nationalist donors who fund his education policies to undermine public schools.
