Governor Greg Abbott visited The Funky Door in Lubbock on Friday, joining Senator Charles Perry and U.S. Rep. Carl Tepper to urge a high voter turnout as early voting gets underway. Abbott told the packed crowd that Lubbock’s economy and values are “important to the entire state” and warned that the upcoming midterm election is a choice between two very different candidates.
During his remarks, Abbott claimed his opponent, Democrat Gina Hinojosa, has voted “over 40 times” for higher property taxes and even supported an income tax, citing specific bill votes in the Texas House. He also pledged to keep property‑tax increases tied to a two‑thirds super‑majority vote and to cap annual appraisal growth at 3 percent, arguing that school‑district taxes on homesteads should be eliminated.
Hinojosa, who has represented Austin since 2016, responded to the governor’s attacks in a separate interview. She said she has never voted to raise property taxes and pointed to her time on a school board where taxes were lowered. She accused Abbott of raising property taxes after taking control of Houston ISD, calling the increase a violation of the state constitution’s prohibition on a state property tax.
On fiscal policy, Hinojosa proposed trimming the state’s rainy‑day fund from $27 billion to $10 billion and distributing the remainder as $1,500 payments to each Texas household, pending legislative approval. She also said she would freeze electricity rates, suspend the gas and diesel tax, and restore federal Medicaid expansion dollars to support rural hospitals.
Data‑center development was another flashpoint. Hinojosa criticized Abbott’s 2015 signing of House Bill 2712, which gave hyperscale data centers 20‑year tax breaks, and said the governor’s pause on new permits is political. She noted that 35 data‑center permits have been approved since the pause and argued for a moratorium or ban until new legislation provides greater transparency and local input.
Early voting began Monday, with Lubbock County elections administrator Troy Havard reminding voters to bring a valid state ID, driver’s license, or passport. Havard said the first day of early voting is typically the busiest and urged anyone with registration issues to vote a provisional ballot so problems can be sorted later. Early voting runs Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., at 21 locations across the county. Voters can view the full list and print a sample ballot at votelubbock.gov.
“This election has a lot bigger ramifications than others because it includes federal, state, and local races,” Havard said, adding, “I encourage everyone to get out and vote. Everyone’s voice needs to be heard.”
What’s next: Early voting will continue through the weekend, and Lubbock residents are urged to cast their ballots before Election Day, which follows the early‑voting period. Both campaigns plan additional outreach events as the race tightens.
