10
Loading video...
By Khaleda Rahman
National Correspondent
0
Share
Newsweek is a Trust Project member
See more of our trusted coverage when you search.Prefer Newsweek on Googleto see more of our trusted coverage when you search.
At least three Democratic sheriffs who Texas Governor Greg Abbott said had endorsed him have denied doing so.
Abbott, a Republican locked in a tight race against Democratic challenger Gina Hinojosa, announced endorsements from a dozen Democratic sheriffs from the state on Monday.
But by early Thursday, three of those sheriffs— Zapata County Sheriff Ramon Montes, Val Verde County Sheriff Joe Frank Martinez and Webb County Sheriff Martin Cuellar—have denied they endorsed Abbott for a fourth term as governor.
Read More on News
Martinez and Montes were still included in the list of endorsements on Abbott’s campaign page as of early Thursday, though Cuellar’s name appears to have been removed. The Texas Tribune reported that Abbott’s campaign called Cuellar’s inclusion a “mistake.”
Newsweek has contacted Abbott's campaign for comment via email.
On Facebook, Cuellar, the brother of Democratic Representative Henry Cuellar, posted a message showing his request to a reporter to remove his name from the list, adding that “the governor endorsed Tano my brother’s opponent.” Republican Tano Tijerina is challenging Henry Cuellar in Texas’ 28th Congressional District.
...
Martinez issued a statement on Tuesday that said he wants “to make it unequivocally clear that I have not issued a political endorsement of Governor Greg Abbott, and I did not authorize anyone to use my name as an endorsement.”
He said that while he appreciated and continued to support the governor’s “logistical assistance and ongoing commitment to helping Val Verde County with critical border law enforcement resources during a time of need, recognizing and appreciating state support is entirely distinct from a political endorsement.” Martinez declined to provide any further comment when contacted by Newsweek.
Meanwhile, a spokesperson for Montes denied he had endorsed Abbott on Wednesday.
Zapata County Sheriff’s Deputy Chief Juan Molina told Border Report that Montes “is not endorsing anyone at this time.”
Newsweek has emailed the sheriffs for further comment.
In a news release announcing the endorsements, Abbott's campaign said the sheriffs had crossed party lines because they know Abbott "upholds the rule of law, backs the blue, and keeps dangerous criminals behind bars."
“Texas sheriffs are on the front lines every day, upholding the rule of law and keeping our communities safe," Abbott said in a statement. “When they take the oath to serve, they make a commitment to protect every Texan, regardless of political party."
He added he was "honored" to have the support of the sheriffs.
"Together, we will continue to keep Texans safe, support our law enforcement officers, and keep violent criminals behind bars," he said.
Greg Abbott vs. Gina Hinojosa: What Latest Polls Show
Most recent polls show Abbott ahead, but by margins far narrower than the ones he is used to. The RealClearPolitics average of polls conducted between September 8 and October 19 has the incumbent ahead by 3.4 points as of Thursday, 48.7 percent to Hinojosa's 45.3 percent.
A new Emerson College Polling survey found Abbott four points ahead of Hinojosa, 49 percent to 45 percent. The poll was conducted among 1,000 likely voters between October 17 and 19, with a credibility interval, similar to a margin of error, of plus or minus 3.1 percentage points. Election forecaster VoteHub grades Emerson a B for polling.
A YouGov poll, conducted for CBS News among 1,460 likely voters between October 8 and 16, also gives Abbott a four-point lead over Hinojosa, 52 percent to 48 percent. The margin of error was plus or minus 3.4 points. VoteHub grades YouGov an B for polling.
A Marist University poll conducted October 8 to 11 had Abbott ahead by four points, 49 percent to 45 percent, among likely voters. The margin of error was plus or minus 4.9 points. VoteHub grades Marist an A for polling.
View 0 Comments
Submit Correction
View Editorial & AI Guidelines