HARLINGEN — Following the debate Friday with gubernatorial candidate Beto O’Rourke in Edinburg, Gov. Greg Abbott headed south to Harlingen for a campaign stop on Saturday.
A small crowd of supporters gathered inside Frankie Flav’z Craft Burger House in Harlingen Saturday morning to hear from other Republican candidates from local and state races, at least before the governor’s arrival for the Texans for Greg Abbott and Texas Victory Weekend of Action kickoff breakfast.
Abbott addressed the crowd for a few minutes about his policy positions, President Joe Biden and O’Rourke to cheers from the crowd.
“I’m going block walking. You’re going block walking — we are all going block walking to turn Cameron County red,” Abbott said to the crowd.
He then directed them outside for a group photo in front of an ambulance decorated with the face of O’Rourke.
The governor’s campaign staff, who dubbed the event as a door-knocking, directed the media to the nearby East Karis Court Street, where he was expected to speak to a few residents. But reporters were given the wrong address and instead ended up outside Victoria Rafols’ home — a longtime Republican from the Philippines.
Excited to see the governor, Rafols walked down the street to catch Abbott as he traveled in-between homes to speak to him and show her appreciation for what he has been doing in the state.
“God bless you. I’ve been praying for you,” she told Abbott.
Abbott thanked her for her prayers and support.
A neighbor, Brenda Kruse, an Alabama resident who retired in Harlingen two years ago, was overjoyed to take a photo with the governor and her family during his visit to her home.
“You have got my vote,” she assured him.
Another homeowner, Margaret Martinez, who moved to the area from Dallas, said it was a welcome surprise to see the governor on her doorstep. In the last week, when a group came to the street to let residents know the governor would be coming, she didn’t quite believe it.
“I can’t believe this, because when they told me that the governor was going to be here, I said ‘pft’. I’ve heard that story and nobody ever shows up,” she said. “Look he showed up. I can’t believe it.”
To see more, view Brownsville Herald photojournalist Denise Cathey’s full photo gallery here:
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