Greg Abbott on Lupe Valdez: Too liberal for Texas On eve of Friday debate, Valdez responds she is 'right for the New Texas'

Texas Governor Greg Abbott, shown in Houston on Monday, April 23, 2018, has called for a special election to fill the 27th Congressional District seat vacated by Republican Rep. Blake Farenthold. Texas Governor Greg Abbott, shown in Houston on Monday, April 23, 2018, has called for a special election to fill the 27th Congressional District seat vacated by Republican Rep. Blake Farenthold. Photo: Mark Mulligan / Houston Chronicle Photo: Mark Mulligan / Houston Chronicle Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close Greg Abbott on Lupe Valdez: Too liberal for Texas 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

AUSTIN -- Less than two weeks before Texas Democrats select a nominee to face Gov. Greg Abbott in November, the Republican incumbent is going on the attack against Lupe Valdez.

The campaign against Valdez gives a clear hint of how the governor's race will be scripted in coming months, especially if she wins a May 22 runoff against Houston entrepreneur Andrew White.

The governor's political campaign on Thursday launched a website that labels the former Dallas County sheriff "too liberal for Texas," calling her "the presumptive Democrat nominee for governor."

Valdez, in a late-morning response, insisted her views are "right for the new Texas."

Valdez bested White in a March primary with about two times his votes, and has been considered the front-runner by party leaders, even though an April poll suggested they might both be within single-digits of Abbott.

Valdez and White, both struggling with underfunded campaigns and low statewide name identification, are to debate Friday evening in Austin. Abbott has more than $40 million in his campaign war chest and is generally popular across the state.

Abbott several weeks ago caused a stir by suggesting Valdez would be the Democratic nominee.

"Valdez . . . wants to put Texas on the pathway to become a liberal sanctuary state in the mold of California," Texans for Greg Abbott campaign manager John Jackson said in a statement. "The website will feature the far-left positions Valdez would pursue as governor, starting with her anti-life and pro-abortion views.

Abbott campaign officials said the website will be updated through the November general election to "inform voters how detrimental Valdez and her views would be for the state of Texas."

Listing Abbott's accomplishments since he was elected four years ago, including low unemployment and higher wages, Jackson said "Lupe Valdez and her far-left positions would undo all of this."

In the short Abbott video, a narrator explains that Abbott supported passage of a ban on sanctuary cities, a law that Valdez has promised to "eviscerate" if she is elected. White has also opposed that law.

The video also highlights that Valdez is pro-choice and supported by Planned Parenthood, while Abbott is pro-life and worked to cut off state funding for the organization, and that she wants to "expand Obamacare," a position that he opposes.

In a statement responding to Abbott's attack, Valdez defended her positions.

"I'm a proud Texan. I was born here, went to Texas public schools, am a veteran, and a former Texas sheriff," she said.

"I know first hand the importance of looking out for all Texans not just corporations and well connected CEOs. The New Texas that I'm fighting for is one where all Texans have opportunities to succeed. There is nothing too liberal about that."

In a separate development Thursday, Valdez was endorsed by former San Antonio mayor and former U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Julian Castro.

"Unlike Governor Abbott, Lupe Valdez will be a champion for all of us," Castro said in a statement. "As a migrant farm worker, Army veteran, and most recently as Sheriff of Dallas County, Lupe has a lived a life of hard work and sacrifice -- qualities everyday Texans know and respect. Our state deserves a Governor who will fight to expand opportunity for all Texans, not just those at the top. "

Mike Ward covers the Governor's Office, Executive Branch agencies, criminal justice and ethics and investigations as Austin Bureau chief for the Houston Chronicle. Send tips at mike.ward@chron.com, and follow him on Twitter @ChronicleMike.