HOUSTON—On Sunday evening, Texas Governor Greg Abbott made an appearance in Houston to talk about the future of Texas after the Special Election. However, supporters and Texans against Abbott were surprised when he announced his campaign for a fourth term for reelection as governor.

Though supporters were excited about the news, others had major concerns based on the governor’s policies on healthcare, LGBTQ + rights and his delay on announcing a date for the runoff election to fill the Texas Congressional District Seat. The seat was historically held by prominent figures such as Barbara Jordan, Mickey Leeland, Sheila Jackson Lee and most recently, the late former mayor, Sylvester Turner, who passed away in March. Candidates for the Congressional District seat, Christian Menefee and Amanda Edwards are both in the running and will head to a runoff election next year. However, Texans are wondering–when?

What Governor Abbott covered:

• School Choice
• Increase in pay for teachers- He announced a four billion dollar pay raise
• DEI ban in classrooms including there would be ‘No boys in girls sports in Texas.’
• Support for law enforcement- Governor Abbott said, “We support law enforcement officers. Not on my watch will I allow our law enforcement to be defunded”
• Illegal immigration- the governor said that no state in history has done as much as Texas for illegal immigration. He said statistically, there’s been a 85% decline in illegal immigration and a 40% decrease in Fentanyl deaths within the past year as Texas “keeps dangerous rapists and murderers behind bars.”
• The ban on Sanctuary cities in Texas

Edwards said she hopes the governor will put the people over politics. “What’s been troubling is that Governor Abbott has been in Houston and in fact, in the 18th district, but for political reasons rather than reasons in the business of the people”

Amanda Edwards- 18th Congressional District Candidate

Harris County Attorney and candidate Christian Menefee put out an ask for the governor to not delay announcing the runoff election.

People across our communities are concerned that Governor Abbott will again disregard the law, delay and leave our communities out to dry.

Christian Menefee-Harris County Attorney & 18th Congressional District Candidate

Governor Greg Abbott’s office has not released a statement on the details of the upcoming runoff election.