Gov. Greg Abbott inspires supporters with pledge to focus on education and border as his third term begins

Subscribe to The Brief, The Texas Tribune’s daily newsletter that keeps readers up to date with the most important Texas news.

For Meg Ramirez, the start of Governor Greg Abbott’s third term was reason enough to take the day off and drive a few hours from San Benito to watch him be sworn in at the Texas Capitol on Tuesday.

She and her daughter Marina Herrera were among the hundreds outside the rose-domed Capitol building in Austin when Abbott was sworn in for the third time, making him the second longest-serving governor in state history. They spent most of the day walking around the grounds of the Capitol and welcoming the inaugural addresses.

“Everyone was excited,” Herrera said. “We needed to talk to new people and everyone had a good attitude about it all – they are very optimistic.”

Abbott was handily re-elected in November after handily defeating Democratic Party leader Beto O’Rourke despite a tumultuous second term marked by the COVID-19 pandemic, statewide power outages, controversial new voting restrictions, a near-total ban on abortion and the deadliest shooting yet. at school in the USA. History of Texas.

On Tuesday morning, hundreds of spectators were greeted on the sunny north lawn of the Texas Capitol with a fanfare of marching bands playing “Texas, Our Texas.” Republican Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick was also sworn in for a third term. Legislators and their families sat on stage under the Texas flag as attendees cheered, filmed, and fanned in 30-degree weather.

For conservatives and Abbott supporters — even those who disagree with the governor on all issues — attending the inauguration was an opportunity to hear in person what Texas leaders had planned for the legislature, which began last week and runs through May 29.

In his inaugural address, Abbott focused on “parental rights” in schools, public safety, and the stability of Texas’ main power grid, which went down sharply during a winter storm two years ago.

“I thought it was very promising,” said Herrera, a self-described stalwart independent.

Karen Clark, an avid supporter of Abbott and the Republicans, was hoping to attend a Catholic mass that was part of Monday night’s inaugural events. But St. Mary’s Cathedral filled up before the event even started. She was still praying earlier in the day for the upcoming legislative session. She said that God had given her five words for legislators: wisdom, strength, knowledge, courage, and leadership.

Clarke said she writes frequently to the governor and even speaks critically, saying he hasn’t done enough to deal with the influx of migrants crossing the Texas-Mexico border. So Clark was thrilled to receive an invitation to the week-long events in the mail.

“Perhaps they appreciated what I said. I donated to the Republican Party even though at one point I told him I couldn’t support him. Then he sent me this invitation, so I think he’s trying to get me back,” joked Clark.

On Tuesday morning, supporters gathered at Christ Church on University Avenue for a prayer service. The church filled again before the service began, and attendees lined up to pray for legislators and listen to several pastors, including Pastor Todd Stewman of Providence Church in Austin. Stewman led the prayer calling for legislators to serve the people of Texas with humility and dependence on God. Raymond Benjamin Barlass, a retired real estate investor, attended Monday’s prayer service.

Barlass said the service reassured him how many Texans support prayer and conservative values.

“Sometimes when you listen to the media, you don’t see it,” Barlass said. “When you see people coming together, it just energizes you.”

Mark Dunham, a lieutenant colonel in the Texas State Guard, traveled from his home in El Paso to show support at Abbott’s inauguration on Tuesday. He also came to inquire about the governor’s plans to secure the border.

Dunham has been with Operation Lone Star since 2022, serving on the Laredo border with the National Guard and the Department of Public Safety.

He said border security is his biggest concern in this legislative session. Abbott and Patrick reaffirmed their commitment to border security in their inaugural speeches. The crowd applauded when Patrick mentioned that Abbott had been transporting undocumented migrants to Democratic-dominated cities like New York, Chicago and Washington DC since last year.

Abbott gained national attention when a busload of more than 100 men, women and children arrived at Vice President Kamala Harris’ Washington, DC residence in 18-degree weather on Christmas Eve.

Dunham said he supported the governor’s decision because it brought national attention to the border.

“Cities like Eagle Pass and Del Rio are crowded with thousands of people every day, and what should they do with them?” Dunham said. “The governor decided to disperse them. They get only a fraction of what cities like Eagle Pass and Del Rio get every day.”

Many supporters came to Austin hoping to hear about the governor’s plan to protect what he called “parental rights” in public schools. Before Patrick and Abbott were sworn in, Pastor Randy Weaver of the Lone Star Cowboy Church in Montgomery gave a speech warning of a “Trojan horse of immorality” in Texas schools.

Many supporters, including Dunham, supported this view. He said he was worried about education in the state.

“I am very concerned about this awakening and everything that is trying to replace family values ​​and religious morality,” he said.

Texas Republican leaders have restricted the teaching of the history of racism in the country in public schools. Some, including Patrick, are now pushing to limit the time students can learn about sexuality and gender identity. Proponents say there is an appropriate age to discuss such matters. Critics say such a law would further marginalize LGBTQ people.

McKinney’s Nicole Earls said the biggest issue she’s thinking about ahead of the parliamentary session is parental rights and the ability to make medical and educational decisions for their children without mandates.

“I really think it’s very important for the government to see that parents deserve to raise their children the way they see fit,” she said.

Abbott faced heat from all sides during the start of the coronavirus pandemic, drawing criticism both for closing businesses and lifting local mask-wearing orders.

Herrera, who attended the inauguration with her mother, who traveled from San Benito, said that while she supports Abbott on most issues, she doesn’t like the state’s current abortion ban. As a child, Herrera said that she saw many people in her high school who were parents despite not being ready for the role.

“This is one of those difficult decisions that I believe every person has to make,” Herrera said.

But Herrera and her mother continue to support Abbott in other decisions he has made as governor.

“I’m not going to rebel against a person because of this particular topic,” Herrera said.