On Saturday, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott announced his bid for re-election at the Hispanic Leadership Summit in McAllen, Texas.
As much as Republicans denounce identity politics, Abbott didn’t hesitate to open his speech weirdly thanking his wife for being Hispanic?
Nevertheless, in front of a crowd of supporters waving Abbott yard signs and Red Wave 2022 posters, the governor thanked Republican Hispanic voters for spreading his right-wing message.
“In the heart of Hispanics they are really Republicans and together they will keep Texas red,” he said. “I’m back in the Rio Grande Valley so much because I care so much about this region.”
From property taxes, parental rights in education, “backing the blue,” higher education, and gun rights Abbott said his run for governor is about keeping Texas on the “right” course. (No pun intended.)
“It’s more than safety that’s at stake in this election,” he said. “Our very freedom is on the ballot. Do we take a left turn that leads to more government and less freedom? A path that would destroy jobs, open our borders, and endanger our communities?”
After accusing President Joe Biden of implementing “open-border policies,” Abbott proudly touted Operation Lone Star as one of his accomplishments as governor despite reports citing an increase of suicides among National Guard soldiers and cutting troops employee benefits.
“We provided $3 billion to secure the border and 15 laws to crack down on the heinous crime of human trafficking,” he said. “I have deployed thousands of National Guard troops and BPS officers to secure the border. To crack down on the smuggling of the deadly dangerous drug fentanyl and to arrest and jail criminals. And now Texas is building its own border wall.”
Then, although he never mentioned gubernatorial candidate Beto O’Rourke by name, Abbott took a shot at his Democratic opponent instead of his two Republican primary opponents.
“We can’t let big government liberals redesign our state with the progressive agenda that is destroying some parts of America,” he said. “We can’t allow these leftist promoters of the Green New Deal to destroy those high paying energy jobs.”
The two other Republican candidates vying for Abbott’s position are former Texas Republican Party Chairman Allen West and former state senator Don Huffines.
The primary election for the governor’s race and other Texas races is set for March 1, 2022.
Photo: Drew Anthony Smith/Getty Images
Kennedy is a recent graduate of the University of St.Thomas in Houston where she served as Editor-in-Chief of the Celt Independent. Kennedy brings her experience of writing about social justice issues to the Texas Signal where she serves as our Political Reporter. She does everything from covering crime beats, Texas politics, and community activism. Kennedy is a passionate reporter, avid reader, coffee enthusiast, and loves to travel.
