The Brief: Trump looms in heated debate between Hurd and Gallego
![Former U.S. Rep. Pete Gallego (left) was ousted by Republican Will Hurd, right, in the 2014 CD-23 contest.](https://thumbnails.texastribune.org/GEc-tUFrvFG6SQAWV23kTKwMfl8=/850x570/smart/filters:quality(75)/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2016/08/16/GallegoHurd-CD23-update.jpg)
The Big Story
In likely the only debate for the only competitive congressional race in Texas, U.S. Rep. Will Hurd and Democratic challenger Pete Gallego, the two men vying for the Congressional District 23 seat, clashed over Donald Trump and their respective legislative accomplishments. Here's what went down Thursday:
• Gallego accused his Republican rival of not doing enough to distance himself from Trump, claiming that Hurd only disavowed the GOP nominee after the surfacing of a 2005 tape where Trump is heard making lewd comments about women. Hurd, however, maintained that he has spoken out against Trump "from day one.” The two also sparred over Trump's border wall proposal, with Gallego pouncing on Hurd's refusal to explicitly come out against the idea.
• They also debated over who had gotten more done in Congress. Hurd claimed that Gallego was making a big deal of his affiliation with Trump because Gallego wanted to distract from the fact that he got “absolutely nothing accomplished” in Congress. Gallego responded by accusing Hurd of taking credit for the progress that Gallego himself made when he held the seat from 2012-2014.
• The Hurd-Gallego race is a rematch of a close 2014 contest. In order to maintain their majority in the House, many top Republicans — including U.S. House Speaker Paul Ryan — have prioritized Hurd’s re-election. Others who have campaigned for Hurd in CD-23 include Gov. Greg Abbott and former presidential candidate and Ohio Gov. John Kasich.
Tribune Today
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What We're Reading
(Links below lead to outside websites; content might be behind paywall)
Justice Department will watch 75 Harris County polls on Election Day for ADA violations, Houston Chronicle
Texas voter ID ad dollars do not go far, San Antonio Express-News
These angry Texans planned protest votes against Clinton, Trump, but close polls have changed some minds, The Dallas Morning News
Obama cuts 98 more sentences, including 2 from Austin, Austin American-Statesman
White House pans Cruz pitch for smaller Supreme Court, Houston Chronicle
Today in TribTalk
"Since time immemorial, new cars in the United States have been sold via franchised dealerships. Dealerships are supposed to provide knowledgeable salespeople and reliable vehicle service. At the same time, the buying process can be a complicated and stressful ordeal; many people end up feeling like they've been overcharged."
— Josiah Neeley, R Street Institute
Trib Events for the Calendar
• A Symposium on Transportation on Nov. 3 at Texas A&M University - Rudder Tower
• A Conversation with U.S. Rep. Beto O'Rourke on Nov. 4 at The Austin Club
• Live Post-Election TribCast on Nov. 9 at The Austin Club
• A Conversation with state Reps. Andrew Murr and Jason Isaac on Nov. 14 at Schreiner University in Kerrville
• A Conversation with Michael K. Young, President of Texas A&M University on Dec. 1 at The Austin Club
• San Antonio & the Legislature: A Preview of the 85th on Dec. 2 at University of Texas at San Antonio – Downtown Campus
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