Sheriffs Dispute Abbott Endorsements as Texas Governor's Race Draws Other Scrutiny

At least three Democratic sheriffs said by early Thursday that they did not endorse Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, though his campaign announced on Monday that a dozen Democratic sheriffs backed him for a fourth term. They are Zapata County Sheriff Ramon Montes, Val Verde County Sheriff Joe Frank Martinez and Webb County Sheriff Marin Cuellar. Martinez and Montes remained on the campaign's list, while Cuellar's name appeared removed; the Texas Tribune reported the campaign called his inclusion a mistake. Abbott, a Republican, faces Democrat Gina Hinojosa in a tight race. Abbott's campaign also released a statement saying CAIR Action, an affiliate of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, supports Hinojosa. Separately, a new report counted 35 data center permitting actions by Texas regulators after the governor's moratorium.

Left-leaning outlets had not reported on any of these stories at the time of writing, while alternative/independent and right-leaning outlets had. Newsweek led with the sheriffs' denials, quoting Martinez and Cuellar; Truthout focused on data center permits issued after the pause. On the right, The Daily Signal focused on CAIR Action's backing of Hinojosa, drawing on Abbott's campaign release.