22 Oct Abbott, Paxton and Patrick Make Back-to-Back Campaign Stops in Corpus Christi as Early Voting Runs

Three of Texas’ top Republicans brought their campaigns to Corpus Christi in the span of two days this week, with water, property taxes and the cost of living among the topics. Gov. Greg Abbott and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick came Tuesday, and Attorney General Ken Paxton followed Wednesday. Election Day is Nov. 3.

Water was the thread running through the first two stops. Patrick, who is seeking reelection against Democrat Vikki Goodwin, held a media briefing near Corpus Christi International Airport and pressed local leaders on desalination. He said the state has put up seed money to study it and is ready to help pay for a plant once city officials give the go-ahead, per KIII, and encouraged voters to back local candidates willing to accept that help. He also proposed raising the school district homestead exemption to $200,000 for homeowners under 65 and pursuing further cuts to local property taxes, and called teacher pay a priority when lawmakers meet again. The Caller-Times reported he also took aim at an online post by U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders backing Goodwin.

Abbott, who is running for a fourth term against state Rep. Gina Hinojosa, spoke to supporters at Brewster Street Ice House, per KIII. He pointed to his border security record, saying Texas built its own wall and passed a law making illegal entry a state crime, and that Hinojosa voted against both. State Rep. Todd Hunter urged the crowd to turn out, and state Rep. Denise Villalobos used the event to argue against the Fair Water Amendment on the November ballot, which would take away the exemption from drought surcharges that industrial customers paying the city a monthly fee now have. Villalobos said it would drive industry out of the area. Nueces County Democratic Party Chair Connor Rice said the aim isn’t to harm industry but to keep everyday residents from picking up more of the cost, calling it a balance voters will have to weigh as Proposition B.

Paxton, who faces Democrat James Talarico in the U.S. Senate race, stopped Wednesday on his statewide “Come and Take It” bus tour, per the Caller-Times. About 150 people attended. His pitch centered on a plan he calls “Protecting the Texas Promise,” aimed at bringing down grocery, gas and electric costs, and he told the crowd the stakes reach beyond Texas. Other speakers talked about the importance of voting, money pressures on Texas families and keeping kids safe online.