Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott (R) backtracked Sunday after initially thanking a supporter who called Abbott’s potential 2014 opponent in the governor’s race, state Sen. Wendy Davis (D), “retard barbie.”
The offensive language was used in a tweet to the attorney general on Saturday, with the supporter also writing that Abbott would “demolish” Davis in a match-up and calling her an “idiot.” Abbott replied on the same day, telling the supporter, “Jeff, thanks for your support.”
But Abbott backtracked on Sunday with a second tweet. He did not apologize, but he wrote that he did not “endorse anyone’s offensive language.” An Abbott campaign spokesperson told the Dallas Morning News that the attorney general writes all of his tweets himself.
Davis has fueled speculation about a gubernatorial run after her marathon filibuster of an abortion bill earlier this year. Recently Davis said she will either be running for re-election to her state Senate seat or for the governor’s office.
@jefflegal @tcot — Jeff, thanks for your support. #TGDN
— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) August 17, 2013
FYI: I thank supporters on Twitter, but I don’t endorse anyone’s offensive language. Stay positive.
— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) August 18, 2013
This post has been updated.
