# Abbott Unloads on Larson and Other News for February 8 | USLege > Gov. Greg Abbott criticizes Rep. Lyle Larson on KTSA-AM, endorsing his primary challenger. Plus Texas campaign updates for HD122, SD30, and more. Canonical: https://www.uslege.ai/news/abbott-unloads-on-larson-and-other-news-for-february-8 --- [News](/news)/[News](/news) Archive # Abbott Unloads on Larson and Other News for February 8 TXElects February 8, 2018 This article is preserved from the TXElects archive. For current coverage, read [The Political Spotlight](/newsletters). **HD122:** [Appearing on Trey Ware’s show on KTSA-AM](https://web.archive.org/web/20240528175434/https://soundcloud.com/ktsa-ktsanews/gov-greg-abbott-says-the-sex-trafficking-outbreak-needs-to-stop) to discuss reducing human trafficking, Gov. Greg Abbott (R) called Rep. Lyle Larson (R-San Antonio) a “repeat failure” when it comes to the Republican Party agenda.“It is offensive that he goes out and claims he is a Republican because he has fought against decreasing property taxes,” ethics reform and reducing government, Abbott said. “He simply must be removed from office,” Abbott said. “He should just call himself the Democrat that he is.” Abbott has endorsed Larson’s primary challenger, Hollywood Park Mayor Chris Fails. On [Ware’s show in a later segment](https://soundcloud.com/ktsa-ktsanews/rep-lyle-larson-defends-himself-against-gov-abbotts-comments), Larson said it was the first time he’d ever been called a liberal Democrat. “I’ve been accused of being an extremist on the other side,” Larson said, adding that he believed Abbott was misinformed. “The governor is obviously very upset” about Larson’s proposed ethics bill during the last session, he said. “It’s unfortunate the governor has taken the low road on this issue.” **SD30:** The Sen. Craig Estes (R-Wichita Falls) campaign released a new negative ad against Rep. Pat Fallon (R-Fallon), accusing him of not being honest with voters. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2pzi1D6Hugo](https://web.archive.org/web/20240528175434/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2pzi1D6HUgo) Fallon’s [campaign hit Estes](https://www.facebook.com/fallonfortexas/videos/1643988492323195/) for being in Austin instead of campaigning in the district and debating Fallon. Meanwhile, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick’s (R) latest campaign finance report includes a $17K expenditure for “campaign polling and tracking” to support Fallon. **HD15 open:** The Texas Parent PAC endorsed Jackie Waters, who is running against former Rep. Steve Toth (R-The Woodlands), for the seat being vacated by Rep. Mark Keough (R-The Woodlands). Toth was endorsed by the _Courier of Montgomery County._ **HD62 open:** The Texas Parent PAC endorsed Reggie Smith for the seat being vacated by Rep. Larry Phillips (R-Sherman). **HD121 open:** The Texas Parent PAC endorsed Steve Allison for the seat being vacated by Speaker Joe Straus (R-San Antonio). **HD126 open:** The Texas Parent PAC endorsed Sam Harless for the seat being vacated by Rep. Kevin Roberts (R-Houston). Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee (R) endorsed Kevin Fulton. **SEN:** The National Education Assoc. endorsed U.S. Rep. Beto O’Rourke (D-El Paso) on the recommendation of the Texas State Teachers Assoc. **CD2 open:** The National Rifle Assoc. PAC endorsed Rep. Kevin Roberts (R-Houston) for the seat being vacated by U.S. Rep. Ted Poe (R-Humble). **CD5 open:** The _Dallas Morning News_ endorsed former Rep. Kenneth Sheets (R-Mesquite) for the seat being vacated by U.S. Rep. Jeb Hensarling (R-Dallas). **CD6 open:** The _Dallas Morning News_ endorsed Jake Ellzey (R) and Ruby Faye Woolridge (D) in their respective primaries for the seat being vacated by U.S. Rep. Joe Barton (R-Ennis). **CD21 open:** National pundit Charlie Cook moved the seat to the “likely Republican” column from the “solid Republican” column. With that update, Cook’s current ratings for Texas seats look like this: - Toss-up: CD7 (Culberson) - Lean Republican: CD23 (Hurd) and CD32 (Sessions) - Likely Republican: SEN (Cruz) and CD21 open (Smith). The other 32 seats, including all seats currently held by Democrats, are in their respective “solid” columns. Cook sees the governor’s race as “solid Republican.” ![Gov. Greg Abbott](/assets/news/ea15a032d8d7_gov_abbott.jpg) Gov. Greg Abbott _©2018 Texas Election Source LLC_ ## More from _News._ [TXBIZNEWS Walmart Synthetic Dyes Elimination News October 8, 2025](/news/txbiznews-walmart-u-s-moves-to-eliminate-synthetic-dyes-across-all-private) [TXBIZNEWS Texas Cyber Command Chief Appointed: New Initiatives October 2, 2025](/news/txbiznews-icymi-governor-abbott-appoints-first-texas-cyber-command-chief) [TXBIZNEWS Rice's Arc: Boosting Houston Innovation Corridor September 30, 2025](/news/txbiznews-rice-universitys-arc-to-boost-houston-innovation-corridor) While you're here ## The platform behind the _coverage._ USLege is the AI legislative intelligence platform for all 50 states plus federal: bill tracking, live hearing video, full transcripts, and cited AI answers. [Book a demo](/demo)