# Texas ESA Lawsuit, TX-23 Race & Governor's Volunteer Awards | USLege

> Muslim schools sue over ESA program exclusion, Trump endorses Brandon Herrera in Texas' 23rd Congressional race, and First Lady Cecilia Abbott honors…

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# Texas ESA Lawsuit, TX-23 Race & Governor's Volunteer Awards

Texas Political Highlights from the Week

Texas Political Spotlight March 13, 2026

The Political Spotlight

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![](/assets/news/476247b44142_69a5dfad36ee6ba7e35757b9_USLege_News.png)

**Welcome back, friends**

Several Muslim parents and private schools are challenging Texas’ new ESA program in federal court, alleging Islamic schools were improperly excluded from participation in the state’s education savings account system. Meanwhile, President Trump has endorsed Republican Brandon Herrera in the closely watched race for Texas’ 23rd Congressional District following the withdrawal of incumbent Rep. Tony Gonzales amid personal controversy. At the same time, First Lady Cecilia Abbott has announced the recipients of the 42nd Annual Governor’s Volunteer Awards, recognizing Texans whose service and leadership are strengthening communities across the state.

![](/assets/news/b6db28869e5e_69b9c73d4b066d60cdc4e275_mpar.jpeg)

> Four Muslim parents and three private schools have sued Texas leaders for excluding Islamic private schools from participating in the state’s private school voucher program.[https://t.co/wLGZHy73lH](https://t.co/wLGZHy73lH)
> 
> — Houston Public Media (@HoustonPubMedia) [March 12, 2026](https://twitter.com/HoustonPubMedia/status/2032094844211118258?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

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![](/assets/news/8dd29c47b1f7_69b9c73e4b066d60cdc4e27e_2.jpeg)

> Trump endorses Brandon Herrera for Congress, Republican nominee in [#TX23](https://twitter.com/hashtag/TX23?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) [pic.twitter.com/yg9UeylPOp](https://t.co/yg9UeylPOp)
> 
> — Politics & Poll Tracker 📡 (@PollTracker2024) [March 11, 2026](https://twitter.com/PollTracker2024/status/2031876078101295412?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

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![](/assets/news/bcb3a80ecc2d_69b9c73d4b066d60cdc4e279_3.jpeg)

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> Congrats to recipients of the 42nd Governor’s Volunteer Awards! These individuals & orgs represent the best of Texas, demonstrating how service & volunteerism strengthen communities across our state.  
> Read announcement from [@GovAbbottPress](https://twitter.com/GovAbbottPress?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) & [@TexasFLCA](https://twitter.com/TexasFLCA?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)📰[https://t.co/ovu3oTABul](https://t.co/ovu3oTABul) [pic.twitter.com/A7LrGJORbf](https://t.co/A7LrGJORbf)
> 
> — OneStar (@onestarfdn) [March 12, 2026](https://twitter.com/onestarfdn/status/2032130045469171996?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

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>   
> We’ve been talking about AI in federal, state, and local government for last few years. What’s different in 2026 is this: It’s no longer a future conversation.  
>   
> Across legislatures and agencies, AI is moving from pilots and white-papers into daily… [pic.twitter.com/f8KJNDdiLu](https://t.co/f8KJNDdiLu)
> 
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## More from _The Political Spotlight._

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