HOUSTON, TX — Governor Greg Abbott is under increasing scrutiny following revelations that he received approximately $1.5 million in campaign contributions from William “Trey” Harris, the developer behind Colony Ridge, a massive residential development northeast of Houston that has drawn national attention—and criticism—for its ties to immigration controversies and unregulated growth.
An investigative report by journalist Spencer Lindquist shed light on the donations, prompting fresh questions about the relationship between political fundraising and state enforcement priorities. Conservative commentator Michael Berry, known as “The Czar,” also dissected the issue in recent broadcasts, painting a complex picture of politics, power, and profit on the edge of Texas’s urban sprawl.
Colony Ridge, which has sprawled across Liberty County, has marketed itself heavily to Latino immigrants, often offering owner-financed land deals that critics claim resemble predatory lending. Residents report poor infrastructure, limited oversight, and lax regulation—conditions that have drawn comparisons to colonias, unincorporated border communities often lacking basic services.
Governor Abbott, while receiving substantial donations from Harris over several election cycles, recently launched aggressive law enforcement operations in Colony Ridge. He cited public safety concerns, immigration-related criminal activity, and illegal land use. These efforts included deploying state troopers, ICE agents, and even involving Trump-era immigration officials, such as former ICE Director Tom Homan.
“This isn’t about going after residents—this is about restoring law and order,” Abbott said at a press conference earlier this year, sidestepping direct questions about Harris’s political donations.
Critics, however, argue that the timing and optics of Abbott’s crackdown raise red flags.
“You can’t take millions from a developer while claiming you’re cracking down on the very problems tied to that development,” said one longtime Liberty County resident who asked not to be named. “It just doesn’t sit right.”
Harris, who has largely remained silent on the matter, continues to expand Colony Ridge, even as public attention intensifies. While some defend the development as a path to homeownership for marginalized families, others see it as a magnet for exploitation and an example of policy failure on both sides of the aisle.
As the 2026 election cycle looms, Abbott’s handling of the Colony Ridge controversy could prove pivotal, especially among rural and suburban voters concerned about immigration, property rights, and political accountability.
Whether the governor’s actions represent genuine concern or political posturing remains to be seen—but for now, Colony Ridge is no longer just a real estate story. It’s a political one, too.
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