Gov. Greg Abbott was recently given a major endorsement for the upcoming GOP gubernatorial primary: former President Donald Trump.
While this is huge for the governor who is largely favored in the election, there are grumbles that some Trump allies and conservatives in the Republican Party disagree with the support by the former president.
According to a report by the Texas Tribune, last week Abbott spoke at a Trump rally in Conroe and when he took the stage he was booed by some members in the crowd. One person was Lake Travis resident Richard Kilmer, who said he will vote for one of the GOP challengers in the March 1 primary, which is a large field that includes GOP Chair Allen West, conservative media personality Chad Prather and former Texas state senator and real estate CEO Don Huffines.
“I've not been a fan of Abbott for a year and a half because he's not getting things done that he promised he would,” Kilmer said. “He’s proven he's not an effective leader of this state and he needs to step aside and let other leaders step up.”
While there is concern among the GOP about Trump’s endorsement and he has faced criticism from both sides of the fence, Abbott has led in many recent polls despite Huffines receiving endorsements from some Trump allies. A poll done by the University of Texas at Tyler shows that 56% of voters in the GOP primary are for Abbott. West had 13%, good for a long-shot second place. This shows that the majority don’t want to see a new face in the Republican Party leading the way, even while some how loudly voiced support for change.
Political consultant, Corbin Casteel, who worked for Trump’s 2016 campaign, said that there was no reason to replace Abbott when speaking to Texas Tribune.
“Abbott has been a fantastic governor by any measure,” Casteel said.
A CNBC report on Feb. 9 said that some allies even want Trump to rescind his endorsement. The report said those in Trump’s ear include wealthy donors and many who frequent Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort club.
Abbott has reportedly been scrutinized by Democrats and Republicans alike for his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the storm in February 2021 that left millions without heat and power for an extended time period leading to multiple deaths. Abbott has also had people criticize his efforts to secure the border. However, in 2021 he was praised for announcing that billions of dollars would be put into the border wall using state funds.
Abbott was first elected in 2014 and is seeking his third term in office. The GOP and Democratic primaries take place on March 1.