Underdog Dems Valdez, White to meet in lone debate

Meanwhile, Abbott launches attacks on the ‘too liberal for Texas’ former Dallas sheriff

AUSTIN — Even as incumbent Republican Gov. Greg Abbott declared war on his choice of a Democratic challenger — Lupe Valdez — Valdez and Andrew White geared up for their one-and-only debate less than two weeks before the crucial runoff election that will decide who faces Abbott.

Abbott’s political campaign on Thursday launched a website — lupevaldez.org — that labels the former Dallas County sheriff “too liberal for Texas” and “the presumptive Democrat nominee for governor.”

Valdez responded that her views are “right for the new Texas,” unlike Abbott’s ultra-right views.

No matter who wins the runoff to become the Democratic nominee, Thursday’s flareup gives a clear hint of how the Texas governor’s race will be scripted between now and the November general election.

Valdez bested White in a March primary by about twice as many votes, and has been considered the front-runner by party leaders, though an April poll suggested they might both be within single-digits of Abbott.

Valdez and White, both struggling with underfunded campaigns and low statewide name identification, are set to debate 7 p.m. Friday at St. James Episcopal Church on Austin’s eastside. Both campaigns hope the public forum will improve Valdez and White’s name recognition.

Debate organizers said Thursday the hourlong event will be livestreamed on kxan.com, and can be seen on Spectrum cable in Austin and San Antonio, and perhaps other Texas TV stations. It will feature a traditional debate format.

In contrast to his Democratic challengers, the generally popular and well-known Abbott has more than $40 million in his campaign war chest. He caused a political stir several weeks ago by tweeting that Valdez was the likely the Democratic nominee.

In a new attack, Abbott blasted Valdez for her promising to “eviscerate” a state-passed ban on sanctuary cities, for her prochoice stance and support of Planned Parenthood, and for wanting to “expand Obamacare” in Texas.

Abbott signed the sanctuary city ban into law, campaigned to stop state funding to Planned Parenthood and its abortion advocacy, and has publicly opposed the Affordable Care Act.

“Valdez ... wants to put Texas on the pathway to become a liberal sanctuary state in the mold of California,” Texans for Greg Abbott campaign manager John Jackson said in a statement.

In a separate development Thursday, Valdez was endorsed by former San Antonio mayor and former U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Julian Castro.