Nearly every major Republican statewide official and candidate appeared at a Sherman event Monday evening, marking a significant gathering for State Rep. Shelley Luther’s campaign.
The rally, held in an auditorium with more than 1,000 attendees, featured Gov. Greg Abbott, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, Attorney General Ken Paxton, and House Speaker Dustin Burrows. U.S. Representatives Pat Fallon and Brandon Gill, State Sen. Brent Hagenbuch, and several candidates for statewide office also participated.
Lt. Gov. Patrick noted that he was unaware of any Texas legislator who had previously organized a district event drawing such a large crowd. The turnout was described as comparable to a statewide convention rather than a typical campaign rally for a first-term representative.
The appearance of Abbott, with whom Luther had publicly clashed during the pandemic, highlighted a shift in their relationship. Luther acknowledged past tensions, stating she was upset after being jailed for reopening her Dallas salon in defiance of shutdown orders. She said they are now working together because it is necessary for their constituents.
Abbott praised Luther’s legislative work, calling her one of the Capitol’s most passionate advocates for her district. He highlighted her support for legislation on foreign land ownership, election integrity, border security, women’s privacy, and Sharia law.
The governor also addressed local concerns regarding data centers in rural Grayson County. Abbott outlined proposed guardrails for future projects, including requirements for developers to cover their own costs, add power to the electric grid, and reuse water. He stated that construction cannot occur in rural Texas neighborhoods.
