Gov. Greg Abbott made his mark on the Texas GOP primaries two years ago, rallying national Republicans to unseat a group of GOP state lawmakers who had opposed his push for school vouchers. It was an unusually aggressive gambit by the governor — and it paid off.
This time around, the power of his endorsement is being tested in new ways.
Abbott is backing at least four candidates in the March 3 primary who are facing political headwinds to varying degrees, including acting Comptroller Kelly Hancock, who is trailing in the polls as he runs for the permanent job, and businessman Nate Sheets, who is also looking to make up ground in his challenge to Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller. Additionally, Abbott is supporting two candidates for Congress whose opponents President Donald Trump endorsed on Monday.
