UVALDE, Texas — Texas Gov. Greg Abbott was confronted by political rival and former U.S. Rep. Robert “Beto” O’Rourke at a Wednesday news briefing, where officials gave details about the mass shooting at a local elementary school in Uvalde. Three adults — including the gunman — and 19 students were killed.
O’Rourke, 49, a former congressman from El Paso, is running a long shot campaign against Abbott, 64, who is seeking a third term as governor after serving as Texas attorney general.
Abbott took the stage at the auditorium in Uvalde High School, surrounded by state and local Republican officials, including Sens. John Cornyn and Ted Cruz. He described how the 18-year-old shooter armed himself with an AR-15-style rifle, but said the problem wasn’t gun control.
