Abbott sends cease and desist to East Texas representative for endorsement claim

NACOGDOCHES, Texas ( KETK ) — The campaign manager for Gov. Greg Abbott has sent a cease and desist notice to Texas House Rep. Travis Clardy, saying he is falsely claiming the governor has endorsed him for re-election.

Clardy currently represents in District 11 including Nacogdoches, Newton, Panola, Rusk, Sabine and Shelby counties.

Abbott endorsed Clardy’s opponent, Joanne Shofner, in December, stating she is the new conservative voice needed in Austin to help secure key republican victories.

“It is unfortunate that you would misrepresent Governor Abbott’s position on your race on your website, which serves only to confuse voters about who is the actual conservative candidate in the race. Which begs to question, what other matters have you tried to confuse voters on,” said in the letter.

Clardy’s official campaign website has the following quote from Abbott as of this writing:

“Representative Clardy has helped lead the cause for improved teacher pay, retention and recruitment in the Texas school system. Not only that, his small business background means Representative Clardy understands the importance of a thriving business climate in the state of Texas. I am proud to endorse Travis Clardy for another term as a State Representative. The voters of House District 11 can be assured that Representative Clardy will faithfully fight for their values and needs in Austin.”

According to Clardy’s website, Abbott released the statement in Dec. 2020 . Clardy has held the position for 11 years and has been in several committee assignments including House Higher Education Committee and International Relations and Economic Development Committee.

The letter ended saying, “we demand you cease and desist using Governor Abbott’s endorsement in your campaign materials, including without limitation your campaign website, social media posts, and any paid media.”

Clardy spoke to KETK on Thursday and said this letter is the “silliest thing” he has ever heard.

“The letter says quit using stuff on your website, what’s the craziest about that I think pot meets kettle, they need to go back on their website. So as we did that we found there’s a lot more of where Abbott has endorsed me multiple times in history,” said Clardy.

Clardy said he knows Abbott did not endorse him this election season because he has been vocal against school vouchers , something his opponent Shofner has not , helping her garner Abbott’s support.

According to Clardy, he’s been told people don’t want school vouchers.

“I have been told time and time and time again. We don’t want vouchers, stand strong, be brave, we’re with you and that’s what we’re going to do, that’s why we have elections,” Clardy said.

For now, the 11-year incumbent said he will continue strong on the campaign trails and wait for this to pass.

“If being endorsed by Governor Greg Abbott means that I am going to betray the people I represent, no thank you,” Clardy said.

Abbott will be going to Nacogdoches on Feb. 5 to campaign for Shofner.

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