With just four days remaining before the November 3 midterm election, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott stopped in Amarillo, urging Republicans to head to the polls as his race against Democratic challenger Gina Hinojosa grows increasingly competitive.
Abbott called Potter and Randall counties “ground zero” for Republican success in the midterm elections, stressing that strong voter turnout in the traditionally conservative Texas Panhandle could help determine the outcome.
The governor warned supporters that his campaign is tracking what he described as “massive turnouts” among Democrats in heavily Democratic precincts. He said Republicans cannot afford to stay home, regardless of the weather.
“We can deal with one day of rain as opposed to for years of pain that would be inflicted by the leftist democrats,” Abbott said.
Much of Abbott’s message focused on affordability, particularly the rising property taxes that have frustrated homeowners across Texas.
“I have the most superior, best, affordability agenda of any candidate on the ballot,” Abbott said.
His property tax proposal includes requiring a two-thirds vote to approve property tax increases and reducing the annual limit on property appraisal increases from 10% to 3%.
Abbott also wants the state to take on a larger share of public school funding, reducing the reliance on local property taxes to pay for education.
The governor claims his plan would cut property taxes by more than half, saving the average Texas homeowner more than $3,000 annually.
Beyond taxes, Abbott highlighted his administration’s efforts to strengthen border security and increase penalties for people who cross the border illegally, an issue that has remained central to his campaign.
But while Abbott has maintained a lead in the governor’s race, recent polling suggests the contest is tightening.
As recently as July, polls showed Abbott holding a comfortable eight-point advantage over Hinojosa. That lead has narrowed considerably over the past three months.
A new poll from Texas Southern University shows Abbott receiving 50% support compared with 47% for Hinojosa, putting the candidates just three percentage points apart.
Hinojosa, a Democratic state representative from Austin, is hoping to accomplish something her party has not done in more than three decades: win the Texas governor’s mansion.
The last Democrat to serve as Texas governor was Ann Richards, who left office in January 1995.
