Texas Governor Gregg Abbott Declines to Appear at Trump's San Antonio Rally
Governor Gregg Abbott said he will not attend Donald Trump's rally in San Antonio, citing scheduling conflicts amid a tight Texas gubernatorial race.
Republican Governor Gregg Abbott announced he will not join Donald Trump at a San Antonio campaign rally scheduled for Thursday, citing a clash with prior engagements. Abbott, who is running for a fourth term, acknowledged Trump’s talent for rallying the party’s base but pointed out the president’s approval rating has slipped to a historic low of 32 percent in recent polling. The governor’s refusal follows a poll that placed his Democratic opponent, State Senator Gina Hinojosa, three points ahead.
Abbott emphasized that Trump’s appearances still generate excitement among supporters, even as his overall popularity wanes. The development occurs as Republicans face tighter races in traditionally safe Texas seats, with Democrats gaining a nine-point advantage on the generic congressional ballot. Meanwhile, GOP-aligned groups have poured over $122 million into Attorney General Ken Paxton’s Senate bid, despite his low favorability, and Trump continues to back Paxton against incumbent John Cornyn.
Why it matters
Abbott’s snub signals shifting Republican dynamics in Texas as Trump’s influence wanes ahead of crucial midterm elections.
How this story developed
- Aug 15 Trump aides say president reluctant to campaign for down-ballot Republicans
- Sep 23 Republican candidates have begun to explicitly reduce Trump references in their campaign materials.
- Sep 25 New interviews highlight the war’s impact on a U.S. retreat and Trump’s renewed Greenland claims.
- Sep 25 Trump’s approval rating has dropped to 32%, prompting more Republicans to distance themselves from his policies.
- Sep 28 The president began a campaign tour of traditionally red states such as Iowa, Florida, Texas and Alaska, as well as Oklahoma and Alabama.
- Sep 29 Treasury and Energy secretaries clarified that diesel‑export limits would likely be voluntary.
- Sep 30 Ken Paxton told a small fundraiser that the GOP midterm convention in Dallas failed to boost his poll numbers and may have actually lowered them.
- Oct 2 Trump visited Denton to publicly back Paxton.
- Oct 2 New polling shows Democrats could gain about 20 House seats and four or five Senate seats.
- Oct 2 Trump and Vance began a joint campaign tour targeting Texas and Florida.
- Oct 2 Democrats posted net voter‑registration gains in Arizona, Maine, Nevada, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
- Oct 5 The poll released in late September revealed President Trump’s economic approval fell to 17%.
- Oct 5 A newly released audio clip revealed Paxton’s comments about limited control over his campaign messaging.
- Oct 6 A Gallup poll shows Democrats identified by half of U.S. adults, Republicans at 39 % and independents at 45 %.
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