Good morning, 

Can Gov. Greg Abbott make it to Election Day while avoiding debates with his conservative challengers?

Here is today's Texas Minute.

– Brandon Waltens 

Monday, November 1, 2021
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• Campaigning for the 2022 Republican primary election is already in full swing. In the first of what is expected to be many such forums over the next several months, three Republican challengers vying to be the next governor of Texas met in Decatur last week to answer questions about what they would do if given the opportunity to lead the state.
   
• Taking part in the gubernatorial forum—hosted jointly by conservative organizations from Wise, Parker, Grayson, and Cooke counties—were former State Sen. Don Huffines, former Texas GOP Chair Allen West, and media personality Chad Prather.
   
• If you missed that debate, we have a summary of the highlights here!

• But while the candidates were largely in sync on the problems facing the state—as well as their solutions—much of the discussion was focused on one candidate who wasn’t in attendance: incumbent Gov. Greg Abbott.
   

• It was not for a lack of trying. Indeed, Abbott had been invited in July to take part in the discussion, but he declined the invitation due to “scheduling conflicts.”
   

• The audience, which consisted of many voters who labeled themselves as supporters of “anybody but Abbott,” didn’t seem to mind.
   

• With frustration growing over issues like the growing invasion along the southern border, or employees facing termination for refusing to get a COVID vaccine, how long can the governor avoid addressing his opponents directly?

• Abbott has thus far seemed hesitant to share a stage or forum with his opponents. Texas Scorecard recently invited all four candidates to sit down for a series of uncut interviews. Everyone but Abbott accepted.
   
• In our series of conversations, the candidates opined on a variety of issues, from border security to vaccine mandates. If you haven’t gotten a chance to check out these conversations yet, you can view them here:
   
  • Allen West
     
  • Chad Prather
     
  • Don Huffines

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