Joined by law enforcement leaders and victims’ rights advocates, Governor Greg Abbott touted his public safety agenda at a roundtable event in Houston on Monday.
In his four-point plan to “protect communities not criminals,” Abbott proposes denying bail for criminal illegal aliens, establishing a statewide prosecutor’s office, enacting a new law allowing for the impeachment of “rogue” district attorneys who fail to enforce the law, and expanding the Texas Repeat Offender Task Force.
At the event, Abbott contrasted his views on public safety with the voting record of his Democrat opponent, Austin-area State Representative Gina Hinojosa.
“She voted against banning sanctuary cities. She also voted against a law to deny bail to illegal immigrants who murder Texans. That’s just outrageous, and a slap in the face to our law enforcement officers. Gina Hinojosa voted in favor of defunding the police. That’s not Texan. In Texas, we support our law enforcement officers. Period,” said Abbott.
The Governor added, “I candidly don’t know any lawmaker in Austin, Texas, more hostile to our law enforcement officers. Gina Hinojosa’s record on public safety is reckless and endangers the lives of our fellow Texans.”
Abbott has been endorsed by numerous law enforcement organizations including the Combined Law Enforcement Associations of Texas, the Texas Municipal Police Association, the National Latino Law Enforcement Organization, and several local police associations from across the state.
Chambers County Sheriff Brian Hawthorne, the Immediate Past President of the Sheriffs’ Association of Texas, praised Abbott and his support for public safety legislation. In his comments, Hawthorne cited Abbott’s support for legislation creating rural law enforcement grants for sheriffs and legislation providing grant funding that allows local law enforcement to cover the costs of the 287(g) program, where local law enforcement agencies partner with federal officials to enforce immigration laws.
Hawthorne also expressed support for the public safety initiatives that Abbott is campaigning on.
Victims’ rights advocates in attendance voiced their endorsement of Abbott and his work to protect Texans.
“We have seen our cities plagued with crime, and we need to continue the work here. And I back Governor Abbott for everything that he’s done for us, and I know that he’s going to continue to keep Texas safe, specifically Harris County. And I urge you to vote for Governor Abbott so that he can continue working for us,” said April Aguirre, a Houston victims’ rights advocate, in a social media video after the roundtable event.
Public safety is expected to be a prominent topic again during the next session of the Texas Legislature. Last week, the Texas House Select Committee on Government Oversight heard extensive testimony about “rogue” prosecutors, such as Travis County District Attorney Jose Garza, who have implemented policies that critics describe as being soft on crime.
