The one and only debate between Greg Abbott and Beto O’Rourke will be held tonight in Edinburg. The debate will begin at 7:00 CST and will air on Nexstar stations around the state.
There will not be a live audience for the debate, allegedly per the request of Abbott and his team. Abbott’s 2014 opponent, Wendy Davis, confirmed that Abbott made the same demand in their race.
Tonight’s debate will likely include a question on the Texas abortion ban. O’Rourke has hammered Abbott on that topic on the campaign trail. The journalist Jessica Valenti recently profiled a very ill woman in Texas, who was allegedly told by her doctors that she could not receive an abortion unless one of her organs failed or she had a stroke.
Another question that will likely come up is gun control. Even after the tragic shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Abbott has refused to back any gun control measure. He even called raising the age of purchasing an assault rifle from 18 to 21, “unconstitutional.”
As he campaigns across the state, O’Rourke has frequently brought up healthcare. Texas ranks last in the number of uninsured and is just one of twelve states that has not expanded Medicaid.
Several Texas Democratic groups will be holding watch parties throughout the state. O’Rourke will also be holding a rally at the Real del Valle Event Center after the debate.
A longtime writer and journalist, Jessica was thrilled to join the Texas Signal where she could utilize her unique perspective on politics and culture. As the Features and Opinion Editor, she is responsible for coordinating editorials and segments from diverse authors. She is also the host of the podcast the Tex Mix, as well as the co-host for the weekly SignalCast. Jessica attended Harvard College, is a onetime fitness blogger, and has now transitioned to recreational runner (for which her joints are thankful).
