To Defeat Democrats, Texas Governor Embraces the Hard Right
The New York Times • • general
Key Points:
- Texas Governor Greg Abbott is set to deliver his first keynote speech at the Republican Party of Texas convention since 2018, signaling a full embrace of the party’s hard-right faction.
- Abbott had previously distanced himself from the convention, either not attending or appearing only remotely, but now positions the hard right at the center of Texas politics.
- The convention follows primary victories by hard-line candidates, including Attorney General Ken Paxton, who defeated incumbent Senator John Cornyn with a staunch MAGA platform.
- Some candidates supported by the hard right have advocated controversial policies, such as restricting voting access and targeting Muslim communities.
- Despite his absence from past conventions, Abbott has consistently driven a conservative agenda during his decade as governor, recently championing a $1 billion school voucher program.