NACOGDOCHES, Texas — For the second time in a month, Gov. Greg Abbott made a trip to Nacogdoches to campaign for the challenger in the Texas House of Representatives District 11 race.
"What an incredible honor and opportunity and privilege for the governor to come back to East Texas," said Joanne Shofner, a candidate in the Republican primary race for state representative of District 11.
She’s challenging current District 11 Republican state Rep. Travis Clardy for the opportunity to represent Deep East Texans. Shofner has gained the support of Gov. Greg Abbott largely by supporting his school vouchers bill as well as his efforts at the border.
Now with the March 5 election fast approaching, Shofner is kicking her campaign into high gear.
"Right now, we’re going to be doing what we’ve been doing which is get every vote, earn every vote of East Texans in District 11 in all the six counties. We are calling, we are door knocking, we are motivating, we’re getting carpools together to go vote," Shofner said.
This is Abbott’s second trip to Nacogdoches in the last month, so if it wasn’t clear before, it’s certainly clear now - he is team Shofner.
"Joanne for one, she represents the values of East Texas, another is Joanne is a person that can work with the governor, as opposed to against the governor. East Texas needs a governor in their corner and Joanne can deliver that for this house district for the Nacogdoches area," Abbott said.
A major factor in Abbott choosing Shofner’s over incumbent Clardy is because Clardy has always been against school vouchers.
Abbott also mentioned that Clardy voted against teacher pay raises, but Clardy says that’s not true.
Clardy said Abbott never even allowed for there to be a vote on teacher’s pay raises. But no matter which way you’re voting, make sure to get out there and let your voice be heard.
"The people of East Texas, they’re all God loving, country loving, Texas loving Texans, and that’s the most fun, meeting the people," Shofner said.