Gov. Greg Abbott posted a portion of an interview on social media in which he doubled down on stricter public safety initiatives.
The post on Monday, May 18, was a clip of an interview with CBS where his campaign wrote, “it is essential that the DA and Judges in Travis County step up and do their job to ensure that justice is going to be meted out for these criminals who committed these crimes, but it’s not just in this one instance. They need to be tough on crime. Period.”
Abbott said being “tough on crime is very simply enforcing the laws and stop letting dangerous criminals go. Stop being easy on criminals and start deploying whatever tool you can access to make sure you’re going to be able to prevent crime and quickly solve it.”
In recent days, the Abbott Campaign has released a number of proposed initiatives to step up public safety in the state, such as denying bail to those arrested and found to be in the country illegally.
More on Texas crime policy Abbott on crime failures, Hinojosa sells change in Texas governor race
Gina Hinojosa makes case on PoliticsNation
Democratic candidate for Texas governor Gina Hinojosa did her own round of interviews, this time with Rev. Al Sharpton on PoliticsNation, to make the case for her candidacy.
The interview on Monday, May 18, was a chance for Hinojosa to underscore that the latest round of Democrats had a strong showing across the state and to take aim at the Republican record in Texas.
“After 30 years of Greg Abbott, Texans are struggling more, not less. We have a plan to save Texas schools, to bring down the costs of utilities, and also to rein in the health insurance companies that charge us more and give us less,” she said.
She again discussed how Abbott’s record has led to Texas leading the nation in the most uninsured people, the most uninsured children, and the most homes being disconnected from their electricity.
“There are national stakes at play here because Texas will gain 4 to 5 more congressional seats at the end of this decade, with the new census,” she said. “If we do not flip by the end of the decade, there cannot be democratic control of Congress or the White House – so the fate of the union depends on Texas. They can’t pass rigged maps if they have a governor who will veto them.”
More on Texas taxes Gov. Greg Abbott on taxes, Gina Hinojosa on schools in Texas governor race
Important dates for 2026 Texas election
The last day to register to vote for the General Election is Oct. 5, either online, by mail, or in person.
Early voting starts Oct. 19 and runs through Oct. 30. The absentee ballot request deadline is Oct. 23, by mail or Oct. 19, in person. The absentee ballot return deadline is Tuesday, Nov. 3, by mail or in person on Election Day.
Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3.
Kristian Jaime is the Top Story Reporter for the El Paso Times and is reachable at Kjaime@elpasotimes.com.
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Texas governor race has Abbott, Hinojosa taking to TV to campaign
