Republican Gov. Greg Abbott and Democratic challenger Gina Hinojosa made closing campaign appeals Monday, urging supporters to turn out voters before Tuesday's election. Abbott, who is seeking a fourth term, campaigned in San Antonio. Hinojosa spoke to supporters in Austin after campaigning in San Antonio on Sunday.
Abbott criticized Hinojosa's votes on immigration and taxes. He proposed eliminating school district property taxes on homesteads and shifting that funding responsibility to the state. Hinojosa said Texans pay more and get less from state government. Her proposals include $1,500 payments to Texas households, a freeze on electricity rates and a suspension of the state gas tax.
A New York Times/Siena poll conducted Oct. 27 to Nov. 1 of 1,215 likely Texas voters showed Hinojosa at 48% and Abbott at 47%. The margin of error was plus or minus 3.4 percentage points. UTSA political science professor Jon Taylor said the governor's race deserves attention alongside the U.S. Senate contest between Democrat James Talarico and Republican Ken Paxton.
Election Day polls are open Tuesday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Voters who are in line at 7 p.m. can still cast a ballot.