Gubernatorial candidates push in local area to get out vote

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Greg Abbott said there was only one better way to start a day in Texas than at a barbecue restaurant.

"Is there a better way to start a day in Texas," he asked an enthusiastic group of supporters in Conroe Tuesday morning, "than going out and voting early to keep Texas red?"

Abbott, a Republican who is currently the state's Attorney General is visiting three cities a day in the two weeks leading up to Election Day, November 4. He is asking voters to go to the polls early. "In addition to you casting a vote, I need every single person in this room to take personal responsibility for getting five people to go out to vote."

He says a large early vote helps a campaign gain momentum down the stretch. "Don't wait until election day. By voting early it gets people energized and they get their friends to go vote."

It was a similar message from Democrat State Senator Wendy Davis, her party's nominee for Governor. To a cheering throng at Texas Southern University she told the students gathered there they need to vote for a change in Austin.

"This is our election," she said, "and this is our time and we will win because of each and every one of you. You all are a part of that generation that is going to determine the future direction of this state."

There was a party bus on hand to help take voters to the polling locations in Harris County right after the rally on campus. Her campaign says Harris County is an important part of the early voting effort, as they travel the state. Davis was in San Antonio at UTSA Tuesday morning, issuing the same plea to supporters, emphasizing the importance of voting early.

"A lot of times people wait until Election Day," she said, "and then something comes up and they don't get there. We're encouraging people to go to the polls right now. Exercise their constitutional right and obligation to vote."

Election Day is November 4. Early voting locations opened Monday and close four days before Election Day.