HOUSTON — Gov. Greg Abbott visited Houston on Thursday afternoon to receive an endorsement for reelection from the Texas Municipal Police Association, an organization that represents more than 30,000 law enforcement officers statewide.
The event was held at the headquarters of the Houston Police Officers’ Union, which endorsed Abbott a day earlier. Abbott used the appearance to highlight his administration’s support for law enforcement as he seeks a fourth term as governor in this year’s election.
Abbott cited recent policy measures, including mandatory denial of bail for individuals charged with 10 of the most serious felony offenses and state efforts to curb the flow of fentanyl across the U.S.-Mexico border.
“Law enforcement in Texas has seized more than enough fentanyl to kill every man, woman and child in the United States, Mexico and Canada combined,” Abbott said. He added that the state had seen a 40% reduction in fentanyl-related deaths, which he attributed to law enforcement efforts.
The governor also discussed his administration’s immigration enforcement initiatives. He did not comment on the fatal shooting of a woman in Minneapolis by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent earlier this week, which prompted protests in Houston and other cities. Abbott said Houston and other cities were facing consequences from efforts to reduce law enforcement funding.
Abbott outlined several law enforcement priorities if reelected, including tightening bail policies, holding prosecutors accountable and protecting the personal information of law enforcement officers.
“I want to ensure that we weld shut the revolving door of easy bail for dangerous criminals,” Abbott said. He also reiterated support for creating a statewide prosecutor’s office.
Abbott said the proposed office would have the authority to file charges in serious criminal cases if local district attorneys fail to act within a set period. He said the office would likely focus on cases involving offenses for which judges are required by law to deny bail.
“If a prosecutor refuses to bring an indictment to prosecute one of those dangerous criminals within a certain time period, let’s say 60 days, then the state prosecutor would have the option to prosecute that case,” Abbott said.
Abbott faces multiple challengers in the Republican primary election in March. State Rep. Gina Hinojosa of Austin leads the Democratic field of candidates for governor.
