Democratic gubernatorial candidate Gina Hinojosa has officially accepted an invitation to participate in a statewide gubernatorial debate this fall and is calling on incumbent Texas Gov. Greg Abbott to do the same.
The debate, hosted by NBCUniversal Owned Television Stations in Texas and Hearst Newspapers in Texas, is scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 15, in Fort Worth. The one-hour event will be broadcast statewide in both English and Spanish.
Hinojosa said Texas voters deserve an opportunity to compare the candidates’ competing visions for the state’s future in a public forum.
Texans deserve to hear a vision of Texas where we save our public schools and put money into people’s pockets. They deserve to believe in a Texas that rewards hard work and takes care of its people. Greg Abbott has spent twelve years showing us what he thinks Texans deserve: more data centers, fewer schools, and endless contracts for his billionaire donors to get rich off our tax dollars.
Gina Hinojosa
Hinojosa also said Abbott should participate in the debate so voters can hear directly from both candidates before casting their ballots.
“Abbott owes it to voters to have a real debate about who has a stronger vision for the future of our great state.”
Abbott’s Participation Remains Unconfirmed
While Hinojosa has formally accepted the invitation, Abbott’s campaign has not publicly announced whether the governor will participate in the October debate.
Debates have historically provided Texas voters with one of the few opportunities to see gubernatorial candidates discuss policy positions side by side before Election Day.
Education and Economy Expected to Be Central Topics
Hinojosa’s statement centered heavily on education funding, economic opportunity and state spending, signaling those issues are likely to become key themes if the debate moves forward.
Abbott, who has served as governor since 2015, is expected to defend his administration’s record on the economy, border security, tax relief and business development should he accept the invitation.
With the debate scheduled less than a month before voters head to the polls, it could become one of the most closely watched political events of the Texas election season.
