Gov. Greg Abbott (R-Texas) attended a campaign fundraiser after learning about the shooting that killed 19 children and two teachers in Uvalde on Tuesday.
Abbott was asked about attending the fundraiser at a press conference on Wednesday afternoon.
“With regard to yesterday, I was actually in Taylor County, responding to a different disaster, the disaster of fires that had ripped through Taylor County and destroyed 20 homes, and that is when I learned about the shooting that was taking place pretty much at that time,” Abbott said.
“On the way back to Austin, I stopped and let people know that I could not stay, that I needed to go, and I wanted them to know what happened, and get back to Austin so I could continue my collaboration with Texas law enforcement to make sure all the needs were being met here in the Uvalde area,” he added.
Abbott’s campaign spokesperson Mark Miner confirmed that the governor went to a fundraiser in a statement: “After holding a briefing and press conference on the current wild fires in Taylor County, where he also provided an update [on] the situation in Uvalde, the Governor did stop by a previously scheduled event last night at a private home in Walker County.”
Abbott is running for a third term as governor against Democrat Beto O’Rourke. His campaign spokesperson said all political events will be postponed in the wake of the shooting.Â
“All campaign and political activity, including a scheduled fundraiser for this evening, have [been] postponed until further notice,” Miner said.
Abbott is scheduled to speak at this Friday’s National Rifle Association (NRA) event in Houston, Texas. It is not clear if he plans to cancel his appearance at the event.
“As far as future plans are concerned…I’m living moment to moment right now, my heart, my head and my body are in Uvalde right now and I’m here to help the people who are hurting,” Abbott said.
