Former President Donald Trump has thrown his support behind Gov. Greg Abbott (R-Texas) as Abbott prepares to seek reelection in 2022, but first must overcome the GOP primary.
Abbott thanked Trump for his endorsement on Twitter and called him “a great friend of Texas.”
“I am proud of the work we have done together to secure our border, bring more jobs to Texas and to protect the freedoms that make America and Texas great—and we are just getting started,” Abbott said in a statement.
At least one state lawmaker is putting his support behind Abbott too.
“Couldn’t agree more with President Trump,” Rep. Jeff Leach (R-Plano) posted on Twitter. “@GregAbbott_TX is the right man to lead Texas and deserves to be re-elected!”
Trump announced his endorsement of Abbott on June 1 in a statement on his website.
“Greg Abbott is a fighter and a great governor for the incredible people of Texas,” Trump said in the statement. “No governor has done more to secure the border and keep our communities safe than Gov. Abbott. Greg is a staunch defender of the Second Amendment and has made Texas a Second Amendment Sanctuary State. Texas has become a job-creating machine, and our partnership helped restore America’s economic power and success. Greg is also very tough on crime, fully supports the brave men and women of law enforcement, and is all in on election integrity. Gov. Greg Abbott will continue to be a great leader for the Lone Star State, and has my complete and total endorsement for re-election. He will never let you down!”
Trump’s endorsement comes just as Abbott prepares to work on securing a third term as Texas governor. Abbott is the lone high-profile name in the GOP field so far aside from a primary challenge from former state Sen. Don Huffines.
The Texas legislature just concluded its 87th session, with Abbott in the process of signing pieces of legislation into law.
One of the governor’s key legislative priorities, election integrity, was nipped in the bud by a walkout a day before sine die.