Sheriffs Deny Endorsing Greg Abbott

At least three Democratic sheriffs who Texas Governor Greg Abbott said had endorsed him have denied doing so.

Abbott, a Republican locked in a tight race against Democratic challenger Gina Hinojosa, announced endorsements from a dozen Democratic sheriffs from the state on Monday.

But by early Thursday, three of those sheriffs— Zapata County Sheriff Ramon Montes, Val Verde County Sheriff Joe Frank Martinez and Webb County Sheriff Marin Cuellar—have denied they endorsed Abbott for a fourth term as governor.

Martinez and Montes were still included in the list of endorsements on Abbott’s campaign page as of early Thursday, though Cueller’s name appears to have been removed. The Texas Tribune reported that Abbott’s campaign called Cuellar’s inclusion a “mistake.”

On Facebook, Cuellar, the brother of Democratic Texas Representative Henry Cuellar, posted a message showing his request to a reporter to remove his name from the list, adding that “the governor endorsed Tano my brother’s opponent.” Republican Tano Tijerina is challenging Henry Cuellar in Texas’ 28th Congressional District.

Martinez issued a statement on Tuesday that said he wants “to make it unequivocally clear that I have not issued a political endorsement of Governor Greg Abbott, and I did not authorize anyone to use my name as an endorsement.”

He said that while he appreciated and continued to support the governor’s “logistical assistance and ongoing commitment to helping Val Verde County with critical border law enforcement resources during a time of need, recognizing and appreciating state support is entirely distinct from a political endorsement.”

Meanwhile, aa spokesperson for Montes denied he had endorsed Abbott on Wednesday.

Zapata County Sheriff’s Deputy Chief Juan Molina told Border Report that Montes “is not endorsing anyone at this time.”

This is a developing story. More to follow.