My Faith Is Not a Party Pledge Today’s Gospel reminds me to give Caesar what belongs to Caesar and God what belongs to God. My conscience does not belong to a political party. And my children and their faith should never be defined by the Government. My Catholic faith teaches me that every person has dignity. We are individuals created in God’s image, each with value that no government, political label, or circumstance can erase. We are called to propose our faith not impose our faith. If we say we are pro-life, that must mean from the womb to the tomb. The unborn child. The struggling mother. The child with disabilities. A child in the classroom. The elderly person who needs care. ALL LIFE should be valued. That responsibility does not end at birth. It includes protecting children as they grow, respecting their privacy, and ensuring they receive an education that helps them think independently and reach their potential. So they have an equal opportunity at success in life, not equal outcomes but equal opportunities. Gina’s personal choice to choose life for her child matters to me. It deserves acknowledgment in a conversation too often reduced to accusations and party labels. That choice does not erase our policy disagreements. But those disagreements do not erase her humanity, either. I have never voted Democrat in my life. This election, I am voting for Gina Hinojosa for governor. I know her. I have worked with her. I have watched her listen, ask difficult questions, and challenge people in both parties. And I have spent years researching and speaking out about the direction of Texas education under Greg Abbott, Dan Patrick and Mike Morath. I cannot ignore my concerns about state control, government behavioral assessments, taxpayer spending, and children’s data simply because he has an R beside his name. Our children are NOT human capital. Their data is NOT a commodity. Their worth comes from God not the government. Supporting Gina does not mean I endorse every position she holds or the Democrat party platform. It means I have weighed the candidates and believe she offers a better direction for our children, their schools and our state. I will hold her accountable, too. My faith calls me to value every life, seek truth, and examine my own loyalties. From the womb to the tomb, human dignity must mean more than a campaign slogan.

For decades, I have been a conservative Republican. I believe in limited government, local control, parental rights, fiscal responsibility, religious liberty, and protecting our children from government overreach. Those principles have not changed. But the Republican Party in Texas has. After years of researching legislation, following the money, testifying before the Texas Legislature, and watching what has happened under Governor Greg Abbott, Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, and Attorney General Ken Paxton, I believe conservative Texans need to confront an uncomfortable truth. The Republican establishment has become deeply dependent on billionaire donors, political action committees, powerful foundations, corporate interests, and unelected organizations that help shape public policy. Meanwhile, ordinary Republicans are expected to remain loyal, ask no questions, and vote RED. And when the leadership cannot defend its record, too often the political conversation turns to fear. The latest controversy involving deceptive political mailers and text messages is a perfect example of why Texans should question what they are being told. alicelinahan.substack.com/p/…