HOUSTON — During a speech at the Texas GOP convention on Friday, Governor Greg Abbott pledged to decisively defeat Democrats in the upcoming midterm elections. He presented his legislative priorities while framing his campaign message around the idea of linking the opposition to what he described as “Bernie Sanders socialism.”
Addressing a crowd of thousands at the George R. Brown Convention Center in downtown Houston, Abbott hinted at the possibility of closing the party’s primaries to only Republican voters. This proposal, favored by GOP activists, would necessitate that primary voters register with the party. The governor reiterated his call for legislation to prohibit local governments from employing lobbyists in Austin, commonly referred to by critics as taxpayer-funded lobbying. He also urged the Legislature to consider his initiatives for regulating data centers, reducing property taxes, and adopting a stringent immigration policy.
Abbott’s speech provided insight into his strategy for tackling Democrats in a midterm election landscape where President Donald Trump’s policies and the economy present challenges for his party. He characterized the minority party, along with its U.S. Senate candidate Rep. James Talarico from Austin, as radical socialists attempting to distance themselves from their previous lenient stance on border issues under the Biden administration. The increase in illegal border crossings has contributed to significant Republican gains among Latino voters along the border.
Despite possessing nearly $100 million in campaign funds, the governor did not mention his November opponent, Rep. Gina Hinojosa from Austin. Instead, he criticized the Democratic ticket for hailing from the capital, which he derisively labeled the “People’s Republic of Austin.”
“Unity will propel our victory this November, and no one is better than you at mobilizing voters,” Abbott proclaimed, eliciting enthusiastic cheers from the audience. “Together, we will dismantle the Democrats. Together, we will win in November. Together, we will maintain Texas as Texas.”
Abbott’s proposal to require party registration for primary voters came shortly after Secretary of State Jane Nelson announced her resignation, effective July. The Republican Party of Texas had previously sued Nelson, an Abbott appointee, to restrict the state’s primaries, expressing concerns that Democrats might be infiltrating GOP contests to elevate more moderate candidates. Although Abbott has yet to appoint a new secretary of state, party activists hope that the incoming leader will withdraw the agency’s legal opposition and facilitate the closure of the primaries through the courts.
Throughout his address, the governor, who is pursuing an unprecedented fourth term, outlined various pressing objectives for the Texas GOP, addressing both elected officials and party activists who will provide guidance on a new set of legislative priorities the following day.
Abbott asserted that Harris County would turn red once more, announcing a planned investment of $25 million to support that initiative, promising to campaign “block by block, door to door.” He also urged the Legislature to formalize his executive order that halted new H-1B visa applications from state agencies and public universities, suggesting that the freeze should extend to “all state and local governments,” reinforcing the notion that “Texas jobs should only go to Texans.”
In addition to advocating for restrictions on local government lobbying, Abbott emphasized the necessity of controlling city and county expenditures, promoting his proposed property tax reform that would require two-thirds voter approval for any property tax increases.
The governor accused Democrats of endorsing Sharia law, prompting a rousing response when he called for its complete prohibition and for enhancing the attorney general’s authority to address the issue.
“The stark difference between the legislation passed by Republicans and the Democratic votes is alarming,” Abbott stated. “It should serve as a serious warning to anyone considering a vote for Democrats.”
In response, Hinojosa criticized Abbott’s speech as “hypocritical, dull, and outdated.” She noted that he failed to address escalating healthcare costs, rising utility rates, or the challenges many Texans face in achieving the American Dream after twelve years of his governance. Hinojosa asserted that, if elected, she would focus on strengthening Texas public schools, reducing utility costs for working families, and ensuring healthcare access for every Texas child.
Some of Abbott’s proposals received immediate acclaim from grassroots GOP leaders, including Luke Macias, a veteran conservative political consultant, who expressed gratitude to the governor for his commitment to closing the state’s primary elections.
