Overview
- State leaders unveiled the partnership at a Governor’s Mansion news conference with TPUSA senior director Josh Thifault, as Education Commissioner Mike Morath attended.
- Officials set a goal to launch Club America chapters on all high school campuses, with Abbott urging reports to the Texas Education Agency of any attempts to stop the clubs and warning of “meaningful disciplinary action.”
- The announcement follows a November meeting between Morath and Thifault on expanding TPUSA in schools and a $1 million campaign pledge from Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick to back the rollout.
- TPUSA reports a surge of interest in new chapters since founder Charlie Kirk was killed in September during a speech at a Utah college, while some students seeking clubs have encountered administrative resistance.
- Known for its campus activism and a professor watchlist, TPUSA has recently drawn formal support from officials in Oklahoma and Florida and has faced petitions and criticism from opponents.