Texas Democrat Gene Wu Critiques Private School Choice Amid Personal Hypocrisy

In a recent video posted to X, Texas Democrat Gene Wu voiced his criticism of parents who send their children to private schools, despite having chosen the same path for his own family. Wu stated that such decisions are often made “so they don’t have to have their kids with your kids.” This controversial comment comes during heightened debates surrounding education policies in Texas.

The School Choice Debate

During a demonstration against the proposed Texas Education Freedom Act, Wu challenged the ethics of school voucher systems. He argued, “How do we tell people we’re going to take your money and give it to rich people, so they can send their kids to private school, so they don’t have to have their kids with your kids?” His rhetoric highlights the contentious nature of school choice discussions in the state.

Senate Bill 2: Key Features and Controversies

The Texas Education Freedom Act, filed on January 24, 2025, by State Senator Brandon Creighton, proposes universal access to school choice. This bill includes funding measures that would allocate at least $2,000 annually to each student’s education savings account. Furthermore, if families choose to enroll their child in private schooling, they could receive up to $10,000 per year per student, with students with disabilities eligible for up to $11,500.

This type of legislation has faced resistance, as a similar proposal failed three times in 2023. Critics argue that such bills primarily benefit affluent families, leaving public schools underfunded and underserved.

Wu’s Contradictions

Wu, who serves as the chair of the Texas House Democratic Caucus, has previously criticized school choice initiatives, framing them as financial giveaways to Republican donors. Interestingly, he has also publicly acknowledged attending a private school himself, and openly admitted to sending his own children to private institutions.

In his own words, “I went to a private school for high school. My family would have loved to have money back… But they didn’t need it. I would love to get $12k of state money for my kids in private school. BUT that doesn’t seem fair in the least bit.” This admission raises questions about the authenticity of his arguments against private school funding.

Criticism of Funding Policies

Wu consistently claims that universal school choice via vouchers operates as a “scam” benefiting wealthy donors at the expense of public education. He has stated, “Greg Abbott is putting his billionaire mega-donors over Texas students. Every dollar spent on his billionaire voucher scam is a dollar taken from our classrooms. The governor should fully fund our neighborhood schools — not defund them with a private school voucher scam.” His statements resonate with many who share concerns about educational equity.

Fox News Digital attempted to reach Wu’s office for a comment but did not receive an immediate response.

A Broader Context for Texas Education

Amid these discussions, Senator Creighton emphasized the importance of educational opportunities for all Texans. In a press release regarding Senate Bill 2, he stated, “This session, we are fully committed to passing universal, comprehensive school choice legislation, ensuring every Texas family has access to the educational opportunities they deserve. It’s time for Texas to join the 32 other states that already empower parents and students with greater educational freedom.” This legislative push reflects an ongoing trend across the country focused on enhancing school choice for families.

As Texas navigates these contentious debates surrounding school choice, the personal contradictions of public figures like Wu continue to amplify the complexities of the discussion, raising vital questions about equity, funding, and educational freedom in the Lone Star State.