The Texas governor’s race heated up on the steps of the Texas State Capitol Saturday as Attorney General Greg Abbott spoke to anti-abortion supporters at a rally.
Texas Rally for Life is an annual event, near the anniversary of the Roe v. Wade court decision, where hundreds of anti-abortion supporters march around Austin up to the State Capitol to listen to speakers.
Abbott, who was the keynote speaker at the rally this year, had a chance to further his gubernatorial campaign while he criticized Wendy Davis, his Democratic opponent, during his speech.
“The cause that helped catapult a little known state senator into a race to be the next governor of Texas was not the fight to create more jobs. It was not the fight for better schools for our kids,” said Abbott. “Instead, it was a fight to be able to abort a baby more than five months after pregnancy.”
During his entire speech, Abbott never mentioned her name once. Instead, he referenced her as “little known state senator” or simply as “the person.” He continued to criticize her by mentioning her partnership with Planned Parenthood.
“The person who led the fight for late-term abortion is now running to govern this great state. She’s partnering with Planned Parenthood to return Texas to late term abortion on demand.”
The crowd was energized throughout his entire speech, booing and hissing at anytime Davis or Planned Parenthood was mentioned. Planned Parenthood helps those seeking an abortion or other sexual and reproductive help.
“You all know the fight did not end on that filibuster night,” Abbott said. “The fight wasn’t over until your voices were heard and the voices of unborn children were heard.”
Davis is well known because when she filibustered Senate Bill 5 in front of the Texas Senate in late June for protection of abortion rights. Since then, she has become a well known political figure and governor candidate while her supporters “Stand with Wendy.”
There were other speakers present at the march including Texas Rep. Jodie Laubenberg, who was the author of House Bill 2. The bill, which used to be Senate Bill 5, put several restrictions on abortion including making abortion illegal after 20 weeks after fertilization.
Laubenberg read a letter from Texas Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, who was unable to attend. His letter focused on the passage of House Bill 2 and other anti-abortion legislation victories.
“From the parental consent act and the women’s right to know act to the sonogram law, which enables expectant mothers to see the humanity of their preborn children,” Dewhurst’s letter said. “I believe each of these achievements led up to the passage of HB 2 and its 20 week limit on abortion in the face of fiercely vocal resistance.”
Other speakers at the event included Ashton Jimenez, a Texas counselor who testified in favor of Senate Bill 97 after she received an abortion her freshman year of college, and Sylvia Johnson, CEO of Downton Pregnancy Center and Fifth Ward Pregnancy Center in Houston, Texas. Senate Bill 97, which became a part of House Bill 2, required the medical abortion drug, RU-486, to be dispensed according to FDA regulations.
Texas Rally for Life focused on bringing together anti-abortion supporters three days after the 41st anniversary of the Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision. It also let the speakers and the crowd celebrate House Bill 2 passing and Abbott continue his gubernatorial campaign.
“I am a reminder that it does not take legs to take a stand. It takes backbone,” said Abbott.