Texas Republican Gubernatorial Candidate Greg Abbott Releases Spanish-Language Ad, Reactions From Opposition

By Nicole Akoukou Thompson Jun 18 2014, 17:27 PM EDT

Leticia Van de Putte's running-mate, Wendy Davis, still has her work cut out for her in the race for governor of Texas. She and the opposition are both looking to nab the heavily sought-after Latino vote. Davis' opponent in the Nov. 4 election, Republican Greg Abbott, has released his first statewide television ad for his campaign, and it's in Spanish. The ad, which features him surrounded by loved ones, reaches out to Texas' Hispanic population, who make up 38.2 percent of the state.

Abbott's platform has been called "something out of the dark ages" by his opposition, with its focus on ending Obamacare, protecting the Second Amendment, defending traditional values, reining in the EPA, and enforcing stronger voter ID Laws. They've also slammed him for his intentions to introduce a national state tax, abolish federal agencies formed after 1798, dismantle the Veteran's Administration, and call for massive cuts to neighborhood schools. But today's Spanish-language ad, entitled "Contamos," shows Abbott's softer side as he appears alongside his mother-in-law, Mary Lucy Phalen, and sister-in-law, Rosie Phalen, who share their thoughts on family, faith and honesty.

"His values are our values. Faith, family and honesty," Rosie Phalen said in the short segment.

"The story of my family mirrors the story of Texas — we are multi-cultural. The vision that I've outlined in my campaign for governor is one that unites all Texans — regardless of race, religion or zip code — the same way my family has been united. As governor, I will fight for a better future for all Texans," Abbott said in a press release that coincided with the debut of the video, which aired on Univision during the Brazil-Mexico World Cup match. The ad will also continue to run on Spanish-language networks in Texas throughout the duration of the World Cup.

Abbott, looking to appeal to Hispanic voters, has said that his election would make his wife, Cecilia, the first Latina first lady in Texas. Although, if Wendy Davis claims the Texas governor race, Leticia Van de Putte will be the first woman and Hispanic to be Lieutenant Governor of Texas. Abbott additionally stated that the Republican Party is a natural fit for the growing Hispanic vote. But, Davis' spokeswoman Rebecca Acuña disagreed with that sentiment, seeing the ad as damage control, citing the Texas GOP stance on immigration.

"It's no coincidence that he is in damage control mode one week after the release of Greg Abbott's party platform that is so offensive to Latino families," Acuña said. "His decision to go up this early on television shows he's very nervous his insulting reference to border communities as the 'Third World' and his opposition to public education funding, the DREAM Act and comprehensive immigration reform are big problems for him on Election Day."

Last week, the Republican Party chose to bring an end to in-state tuition for undocumented immigrants, end provisional visa programs for immigrants, and prohibit "sanctuary cities" that do not enforce immigration laws, which Mark P. Jones, a political scientist at Rice University, said has effectively put Abbott in an "awkward position."

Greg Abbott, who has a Spanish-language campaign website, has indicated that he'd like to receive at least 40 percent of the Hispanic vote. But, some Hispanic Republicans have remarked that Abbott's outreach efforts clash with his actions, which further alienate Latinos and fail to promote a more inclusive party. That said, many recognize that immigration is not a pressing issue to all Latinos; particularly those more focused on economics, health care and education. George Rodriguez, former president of the San Antonio Tea Party has said, "It is not a race issue."

Check out Greg Abbott's new ad, and the Spanish and English transcripts below: