The Partisans Are Coming for District 5

From: Anna Donlan

"The Partisans Are Coming for Your Cities and Schools." That was the headline of a Texas Monthly article as far back as five years ago. The Wheel wrote about the encroachment of partisan party politics several times (e.g., in November, 2020: "Partisan Nonpartisan Elections"). I do not like it when the Republicans do it. I do not like it when the Democrats do it. I do not like it.

I DO NOT LIKE THEM HERE OR THERE.
I DO NOT LIKE THEM ANYWHERE.
I DO NOT LIKE GREEN EGGS AND HAM.
I DO NOT LIKE THEM, SAM-I-AM.

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I've given up hope that political parties will return to the traditional, mutual, hands-off policies regarding local school board elections. About all I can do anymore is point out when the tradition is being violated and urge voters not to reward violators. This week, in Richardson ISD's District 5 election, it's the Republican Party needing to be called out for injecting partisan party politics in RISD's nonpartisan school board election.

The following is an email sent to an undisclosed list of voters by the Executive Director of the Dallas County Republican Party, Susan Fountain.

From: Susan Fountain
Subject: RISD School Board District 5
Date: May 1, 2022 at 4:06:51 PM CDT
To: undisclosed-recipients:;

For your consideration:

[Partisan characterizations of Rachel McGowan and Kile Brown redacted]

Jan Stell, a straight ticket Republican voter, has staunchly denounced CRT, DE&I, and SEL, has a Master's Degree in Education and is highly qualified to serve on the Richardson Independent School Board. She is well known in Lake Highlands as a Realtor.

This is NOT a non-partisan election [emphasis added], we need to be aware of which candidates have very liberal ideologies. Please consider voting for JAN STELL and FOR both of the constitutional amendments. [GOTV information redacted.]

Thank you!

Susan Fountain
Lake Highlands Resident of 40 years (all 3 children LHHS Grads)
Republican Party of Texas SREC Senate District 16
Dallas County Republican Party Executive Director
Precinct Chair 2063 & 2064

Source: Email.

The Executive Director of the Dallas County Republican Party says "This is NOT a non-partisan election." She has to tell you Jan Stell is a Republican because you won't find an "R" after her name on the ballot, just like you won't find a party label behind Rachel McGowan's or Kile Brown's names on the ballot either. Or on their campaign literature or yard signs or mailers. Because despite what Susan Fountain claims, the Richardson ISD elections are indeed non-partisan. At least on the ballot. What Susan Fountain is doing to turn the election into just another partisan fight is legal, but it's not OK. Don't reward her at the polls on Election Day, May 7.