Sen. Rand Paul wades into Texas governor’s race against Gov. Abbott – Houston Chronicle

U.S. Sen. Rand Paul announced Thursday hes backing Republican Don Huffines in his campaign to unseat Gov. Greg Abbott in a GOP primary next spring.

The Kentucky Senator, who grew up in Lake Jackson and attended Baylor University, said hes known Huffines, a Dallas developer, for more than 20 years.

He is a loyal, steadfast fighter for limited, constitutional government, Paul said. He has been in the thick of every conservative fight since I have known him. He is unafraid to stand up to the establishment. He is someone who will defend our freedoms.

The endorsement gives Huffines, a former state senator, backing from a leader in libertarian-conservative circles, and it aligns him with one of the most vocal critics of Dr. Anthony Fauci and the nations handling of COVID-19. Huffines has built a key part of his campaign around being critical of Abbotts mask mandate last summer and other executive orders he released during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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When Abbott had the chance to protect the freedoms of all Texans, he instead sided with power-hungry, pro-lockdown politicians in Washington, Huffines said. Abbotts lockdowns killed more than 3 million Texas jobs in one week.

Huffines is one of two high profile Republicans who have announced they are challenging Abbott in a primary next year when Abbott will be seeking a third four-year term as governor. Earlier this month, former Florida Congressman Allen West announced he too is running for the Republican nomination for governor.

Abbott has never faced a major primary challenger in his previous two campaigns for governor. Campaign finance reports show Abbott has more than $55 million ready for the 2022 election cycle.

Paul is the son of former U.S. Congressman Ron Paul of Texas, who became a leader in the Tea Party movement and has run for president both with the Libertarian Party and the Republican Party.

jeremy.wallace@chron.com

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Sen. Rand Paul wades into Texas governor's race against Gov. Abbott - Houston Chronicle