Beto O’Rourke intensifies campaign on abortion rights as trigger law goes into effect

Democratic candidate for governor Beto O’Rourke speaks at a rally in support of abortion rights in East Austin on June 26. (Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribune)

Beto O’Rourke is amping up his already dogged criticism of Gov. Greg Abbott over abortion rights as Texas’ “trigger law” takes effect Thursday, banning nearly all abortion in the state after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade.

The Democratic nominee for governor is featuring the issue in his first general-election TV ads, which are airing during two preseason football games Thursday and Friday nights, according to his campaign. O’Rourke also marked the law’s implementation with a news conference Thursday morning in Houston, where he was joined by women and doctors who have been affected by the state’s abortion restrictions.