Austin (WBAP/KLIF) – Incumbent Governor Greg Abbott squared off with his Democratic challenger Lupe Valdez in their first and only gubernatorial debate Friday night.
The first question dealt arming teachers in the state, which Governor Abbott favors. He said the issue was among those supported by school administrators, parents and teachers in Sante Fe, Texas where several people were killed in a high school shooting earlier this year.
For her part Valdez said she’s against the bill, saying teachers are already over worked and should be armed and responsible for defense.
Abbott has a commanding lead over Valdez who is vying to become Texas’ first openly gay, Latina governor.
Full debate:
ICYMI: Greg Abbott vs Lupe Valdezhttps://t.co/zH6ZPO1eyA
— 710 KURV (@710KURV) September 30, 2018
They covered a wide range of topics to include the controversial “bathroom bill’ which targets transgender people. It isn’t on his agenda if re-elected, but he stopped short of saying he would veto one if the legislature sends it to his desk.
Abbott went against other GOP governors in 2017 in pushing for such a bill, which was hotly opposed by Fortune 500 companies, police and sports leagues. The measure failed twice.
In their only scheduled debate Friday evening, Lupe Valdez swung away at Gov. Greg Abbott, while Abbott largely ignored her and defended his first term. @patricksvitek reports: https://t.co/E6L149WXpb #txgovdebate pic.twitter.com/0PS787DWcD
— Texas Tribune (@TexasTribune) September 29, 2018
(Copyright 2018. WBAP/KLIF News. All Rights Reserved. This report contains tweets from the Texas Tribune and 710 KURV)
