Updated at 3:20 p.m. July 27 with comment from Lupe Valdez.

AUSTIN — The state's largest law enforcement organization has endorsed Gov. Greg Abbott over his Democratic opponent, former Dallas County Sheriff Lupe Valdez.

The Combined Law Enforcement Associations of Texas, or CLEAT, made the announcement with Abbott on Friday morning.

"The governor and I aren't always going to agree," added Todd Harrison, a sergeant with the Austin Police Department. "But here's what this man said: that he will at least listen to the concerns of my members."

Valdez served as Dallas County sheriff from 2005 until late last year, when she stepped down to run for governor. When she won her primary in March, she became the first Latina and first openly gay person to win a major party's nomination for the state's top job.

In a statement to The Dallas Morning News, Valdez said despite the endorsement, "Abbott's claims to being committed to the men and women who protect and serve ring hollow." She then criticized the governor for signing the sanctuary cities ban into law in 2017 and said he "shamelessly turns his back on our first responders" by not supporting so-called red flag laws, which would give doctors the ability to temporarily order guns confiscated from people deemed to be a danger to themselves or others.

"With over 40 years of protecting Texans, as Governor, I will fight for the brave men and women in uniform across this state, so that they can focus on preventing crime and protecting the public they've sworn to serve," Valdez said.

Both Valdez and Abbott interviewed with CLEAT's board before it made the decision to back the incumbent, Harrison said. The organization, which boasts more than 21,000 members across the state, chose the governor because "it was decided we had faith in the governor to do the best thing for our members and the best thing for the state of Texas."

Charley Wilkison, CLEAT's executive director, specifically mentioned Abbott's push for state funding to provide rifle-resistant vests for police officers and to extend hate crimes protections to law enforcement after the deadly July 2016 Dallas police ambush.

"You made it a hate crime to murder a cop," Wilkison said. "We're forever grateful for that."

Abbott said he was proud to accept the endorsement, which comes from CLEAT's political action committee and will also accompany a donation, Wilkison told The News.

"It sends a big message to the people of Texas," Abbott said. "Texas would not be great if it weren't for the sacrifice and the service that is made by the men and women of law enforcement."

At the news conference, the governor also answered questions about a recent hearing over school safety on red flag laws. Republican senators and gun rights advocates were critical of the measures, and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, who leads the Senate, said he has never supported the idea.

On Friday, Abbott said he believed consensus is growing that red flag laws are not right for Texas.

"It seems like there is coalescence around the notion of not supporting what's categorized as a 'red flag law,'" Abbott said, adding he had never personally endorsed the proposal. "I can assure you that in this upcoming session, making our schools safer will be something that the entire Legislature will be committed to ensuring."

State lawmakers meet next in January. Election Day is Nov. 6.