On Monday, October 28, 2024, The Texas Tribune reported that a Central Texas district judge is facing allegations of violating state law by soliciting campaign support from his university students. Judge Tanner Neidhardt, who holds an adjunct teaching position at Texas State University, is accused by his opponent, Alicia Key, of using his classroom to encourage students to vote for him.

Key’s claims are supported by a letter sent to Texas State University President Kelly Damphousse from her attorney, Chevo Pastrano. The letter details an email Neidhardt sent to his students on October 21, urging them to vote for him and to recruit their peers to do the same. The message reportedly included an offer of free campaign t-shirts and pizza for students who assisted with campaigning at an on-campus polling location.

Neidhardt’s email stated, “I’ve always told you that you will make a difference in the future of our justice system. In fact, you can make a difference right now. When you support a judge committed to a better justice system, I can keep working to improve it.”

The university has declined to comment on the allegations, citing personnel issues. Neidhardt has not responded to requests for comment regarding the situation.

Texas law prohibits state employees from using institutional resources for political campaigning. Specifically, it is classified as a third-degree felony for public employees to use official information, including student email addresses, for purposes outside of government functions.

Neidhardt was appointed by Governor Greg Abbott to the newly created 483rd Judicial District Court in Hays County in 2022 and began teaching at Texas State in August 2023. His background includes previous roles as deputy general counsel for the governor’s office and as an adjunct professor at the University of Texas School of Law.

In response to the allegations, Pastrano has requested the university to terminate Neidhardt’s employment. He has also filed a criminal complaint against Neidhardt with the Texas State University Police Department and the Hays County District Attorney’s office. District Attorney Kelly Higgins has acknowledged receipt of Pastrano’s letter but has refrained from making further comments.

Pastrano expressed concern over the impact of Neidhardt’s actions on students, stating, “When you sign up for a class, it’s not on the syllabus that you’re going to be propositioned to support a campaign for the guy who’s got control of your grade at the end of the semester.”

Additionally, Pastrano included in his letter a copy of another email from Neidhardt, in which he introduced himself as both a district judge and a professor, soliciting votes from students. At least three students confirmed receiving this communication.

Texas State junior Emma Bean reported that she had never before been contacted by a political candidate through her university email. She expressed discomfort with the situation, noting that it felt like Neidhardt had an unfair advantage due to his dual role as a professor.

Just two weeks prior to Neidhardt’s emails, Texas State University System attorneys reminded faculty of the legal restrictions on using state resources for political purposes. Vice Chancellor and General Counsel Nelly Herrera emphasized in an October 7 email that university property and resources should not be utilized to influence elections or legislation.

Brian Baker, a San Marcos attorney who teaches at Texas State, remarked on the university’s consistent reminders to faculty to avoid violating state law during election periods, asserting that it would be inappropriate for faculty to engage in campaigning.

Neidhardt’s opponent, Alicia Key, a former district attorney, criticized his actions, stating, “Tanner Neidhardt is apparently running for his personal gain and ambition, and is willing to break the law and abuse his position to try to win. Hays County deserves better.”

 

 

Source: The Texas Tribune