Immigration, abortion and economy expected to take center stage when Abbott, O’Rourke debate Friday

Democratic gubernatorial nominee Beto O’Rourke, left, and Gov. Greg Abbott. (Credit: The Texas Tribune)

Immigration, abortion, the economy and guns are expected to be major topics of conversation Friday night as Republican Gov. Greg Abbott faces off against his Democratic challenger, Beto O’Rourke, in their only planned debate ahead of the Nov. 8 election.

Abbott, who is seeking a third term in office, is leading in the polls by single-digit margins and will look to push his priority issue of border security to the forefront of the debate, along with the country’s struggling economy under the watch of Democratic President Joe Biden.