Gov. Greg Abbott campaigned in downtown Montgomery on Wednesday. He said Montgomery County is the most pivotal county in the election and that its turnout will help decide who wins Texas. The county gave President Donald Trump his largest margin of victory of any U.S. county in 2024, according to the report, and turned out 68% of registered voters that year.
Abbott spoke at the Old Montgomery Steakhouse to a crowded room, with at least 100 more people in line outside. State Rep. Will Metcalf, R-Conroe, urged voters to turn out. Abbott criticized his Democratic opponent, state Rep. Gina Hinojosa, D-Austin, including over her endorsement by the Council on American Islamic Relations, which he said amounted to support for "sharia law."
About a quarter of registered voters in Montgomery County had cast early ballots, a slightly lower rate than in the 2018 midterm. In Harris County, early voting turnout has exceeded 2018 levels so far.