Democrats want him to step down.
Making an appearance at the Hispanic Leadership Summit on Jan. 8 in McCallen, Texas Governor Greg Abbott kicked off his re-election campaign, announcing that he would be seeking a third term.
Speaking to the Hidalgo County crowd, Abbott stated that under his leadership Texas continued to persevere despite challenges, adding that more businesses were moving to the state and “more Texans are working here than ever before.”
During the speech, the Republican also made special mention of his track record, pointing out that he kept his campaign promises, including one he made to the people of the Rio Grande Valley.
Abbott noted that before he became Governor, “South Texas had no Level 1 Trauma Center,” but remarked that he made a promise that the area “would get a Level 1 Trauma Center, and now the Rio Grande Valley has one, right here in Hidalgo County.”
Following the event, the governor would confirm his re-election bid on Twitter, saying that he was “Proud to officially announce I’m running for re-election to continue serving as Governor of the Lone Star State. Together, we will secure the future of Texas.”
This tweet also launched the Governor’s re-election social media campaign, which included statements about the Lone Star State needing a “proven winner” who would “fight to secure the future of Texas.”
These remarks may be aimed at others who have thrown their hat in the race, including several Republicans. Abbott’s seat as Governor is being contested by former state Republican Party chief Allen West, criminal defense attorney Paul Belew, former state Senator Don Huffines and landscape business owner Danny Harrison.
The Governor’s role is also being contested by at least two Democrats: former presidential candidate Beto O’Rourke, who announced his bid in November, and former public radio journalist Joy Diaz who left her job to pursue the Governor role after she and her school-aged child contracted COVID, igniting her passion for politics.
