NACOGDOCHES, Texas — In just a month, Texas voters will head to the polls for the primary races, also known as Super Tuesday, on March 5.
Ahead of all the action, Gov. Greg Abbott was in Nacogdoches campaigning with Joanne Shofner, a candidate who is running against incumbent Republican Rep. Travis Clardy.
The District 11 seat that Clardy currently holds represents Nacogdoches, Newton, Panola, Rusk, Sabine and Shelby counties.
"I believe in her values. I'm a Christian, I have Christian values and I believe she's going to represent Texas well," said Cushing resident Tiffany Duckworth. "I believe she's going to do a good job for District 11 and Texas."
Last week, Abbott's campaign manager sent Clardy a cease and desist order accusing Clardy campaign of using an old endorsement by Abbott to confuse voters this election cycle. According to the Nacogdoches Daily Sentinel, "The letter is labeled as a paid political advertisement and does not appear to be a request from Abbott’s attorneys."
Meanwhile, Clardy led a group of protestors outside the hotel. Gabriel Paniagua was one of those protestors who said he's disappointed in the governor for not endorsing the long-time representative.
"I know they've worked together in the past and it's disappointing to see him switch up," Paniagua said.
If anything is testing the state right now, it's the issue of school choice and whether candidates can score voters based on their track record. Clardy voted against school vouchers during the last legislative session.
"It's just a crime of what was left on the table last session," Shofner said, referring to the failed school voucher bill this last legislative session. "This would provide a great way for them to be able to pay their own tax dollars to do so."
Shofner has made it clear she's in favor of school choice. For Rebecca Shatewell, a former public school teacher for 29 years, Shofner's support in school choice has become a deciding factor in her vote this March.
"Now that we have Joanne, and she's supporting that how can I not support her. I just want the best for our schools," Shatewell said.