Gov. Greg Abbott, Beto O’Rourke agree to debate Sept. 30 in Edinburg

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Gov. Greg Abbott and his Democratic opponent, Beto O’Rourke, have agreed to a Sept. 30 debate in the Rio Grande Valley.

Abbott introduced final month that he had accepted an invite to the debate, which can be hosted by Nexstar Media Group on the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley in Edinburg. O’Rourke responded on the time by saying he could be pleased to debate Abbott in the Valley however didn’t commit to the precise occasion — and pushed for extra debates. On Thursday morning, O’Rourke’s marketing campaign revealed it had dedicated to the Sept. 30 debate whereas asserting he had additionally accepted invites for 4 different city hall-style debates hosted by news organizations.

Abbott’s marketing campaign has indicated the Sept. 30 debate is the one one he’s prepared to do earlier than the November election.

“Beto is looking forward to these four town hall-style debates where he can continue taking questions directly from voters in English and Spanish while also holding Governor Abbott fully accountable for his indefensible record of incompetence and extremism,” O’Rourke spokesperson Chris Evans mentioned in an announcement.

Among the invites O’Rourke accepted is a debate hosted collectively by The Texas Tribune, the Austin American-Statesman, The Dallas Morning News, the Houston Chronicle, the San Antonio Express-News and KVUE-TV.

Abbott’s marketing campaign responded to O’Rourke’s announcement Thursday by showing to verify that the Sept. 30 debate is the one one the governor will do.

“In between television appearances in New York and fundraising in Hollywood, we are pleased Beto O’Rourke is taking the time to debate Governor Abbott in the only statewide televised debate,” Abbott spokesperson Mark Miner mentioned in an announcement.

Abbott’s marketing campaign has mentioned the Sept. 30 can be in the night and can be an hour lengthy. It can be accessible in each media market, together with on Spanish-language channels, in accordance to the marketing campaign. It can be moderated by Britt Moreno of KXAN in Austin, with a panel of journalists together with Sally Hernandez of KXAN, Gromer Jeffers of The Dallas Morning News and Steve Spriester of KSAT in San Antonio.

Disclosure: The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley has been a monetary supporter of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news group that’s funded in half by donations from members, foundations and company sponsors. Financial supporters play no position in the Tribune’s journalism. Find a whole list of them here.

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