Blame game: gubernatorial candidates square off at UTRGV

In the only gubernatorial debate leading up to the Nov. 8 general election, Texas Gov. and Republican incumbent  Greg Abbott faced off tonight against Democratic candidate Beto O’Rourke in the UTRGV Performing Arts Complex without a single person in the auditorium.   

In a campaign that has been heating up since day one, the two candidates debated the topics of immigration, Operation Lone Star, gun violence, Uvalde, abortion and law enforcement funding to name a few. Without a single person in attendance at the request of Abbott, many viewed the debate at watch parties across the state, including the University Ballroom on the Edinburg campus.  

With some questions having a straightforward answer, others were ignored or were part of a mud-slinging blame game between the candidates, often speaking over time limits or stating the other candidate is lying. 

Right from the get-go with the first question about how the candidates will alleviate the financial burden placed on border communities from the ongoing influx of migrants, Abbott blamed President Joe Biden’s immigration policies and compared them to what O’Rourke will have in office. 

Abbott said the historical number of people crossing the border resulted in a response of having National Guard troops and Department of Public Safety officers deployed to border communities and even busing migrants to sanctuary cities, such as New York. 

“What we’re doing is making sure that we are keeping our community safe,” Abbott said.
“And this is completely different than the way that things would be under Beto.” 

O’Rourke, who served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 2013 to 2019, responded with how Abbott will blame others to distract from his failures as governor for the last eight years, from Operation Lone Star to the electrical grid failing last year and addressing school shootings. 

“What we need is a safe, legal, orderly path for anyone who wants to come here to work, to join family, or to seek asylum,” O’Rourke said. “… I’m going to work with local leaders, Republicans and Democrats alike, to make sure that we have a Texas-based guest worker program to alleviate shortages that we have in our state for labor demands and reduce inflation, and address supply chain issues as well.” 

The question went hand in hand with the next one about Texas’ Operation Lone Star, which for the last two years has cost $4 billion in state funds to keep running. 

Asked whether more money should be allocated toward Operation Lone Star, Abbott replied, “We shouldn’t have to allocate any money for it because this is all because of Joe Biden’s failure to do the president’s job to secure the border. … It would be the same pathway that Beto would take us down.” 

O’Rourke’s response to the question, “No, it’s clearly failed. The numbers are in and we’re seeing not fewer but more engagement on our border when the governor spent $4 billion of our tax dollars on what has turned out to be political theater for his political career. … We don’t need anymore stunts, we need solutions.” 

Asked if busing migrants is a political stunt and if there has been coordination between Texas and cities, Abbott replied that the operation began by having conversation with local communities dealing with the influx of migrants. He said New York City Mayor Eric Adams’ office never reached out to the governor’s office to help coordinate.

After the debate, Adams’ press secretary, Fabien Levy, in a tweet showed a follow-up email between both offices confirming Adam’s office did reach out to coordinate.  

With it being 18 weeks since the Uvalde shooting, the candidates were asked if the age limit to purchase an AR-15 assault-style weapon should be raised from 18 to 21. 

Abbott replied that raising the age limit would be unconstitutional and any attempt to raise it would be overturned. He said the focus should be on mental health and that Texas is already addressing it. Abbott also said he is still against red flag gun laws, which would deny lawful Texan gun owners their constitutional right to due process. 

O’Rourke answered by stating that families from Uvalde made a 280-mile trip in support of raising the age limit to buy an assault rifle. 

“It’s been 18 weeks since their kids have been killed and not a thing has changed in this state to make it any less likely that any other child will meet the same fate,” he said. “All we need is action. And the only person standing in our way is the governor of the state of Texas.” 

Another topic that the candidates are on opposite sides is abortion. On Aug. 25, Texas’ trigger law banning abortion took effect, making performing an abortion a felony with a punishment of up to life in prison. 

Asked if emergency contraception is a viable alternative to abortion for victims of rape and incest, Abbott replied, “Depends on what you mean by alternative. An alternative, obviously, is to do what we can to assist and aid the victim. And then, it’s to help get them medical assistance that they need and the care that they need. But, also, to know what their options are. They’re going to know that … there are alternatives to abortion, programs that provides living assistance, baby supplies, all kinds of things that can help them. Also, with increased funding for prenatal and postpartum care.” 

O’Rourke was asked if he supports any limit on when a woman cannot have an abortion. 

“I will fight to make sure that every woman in Texas can make her own decisions about her own body, her own future and her own health care,” he replied. “And we’ll work with the Legislature and my fellow Texans to return us to the standard that Texas women want in the first place, Roe vs. Wade.” 

The deadline to register to vote in Texas is Oct. 11. Early voting runs from Oct. 24 to Nov. 4, with Election Day Nov. 8.