Texas state Rep. Gina Hinojosa released a new advertisement attacking Gov. Greg Abbott (R-TX) over the number of Flock cameras in Texas as she challenges him to be the next governor of the Lone Star State.
Hinojosa, the Democratic nominee for the gubernatorial ticket in Texas, has hit Abbott hard on divisive cross-party issues such as the automatic license plate readers and data centers, releasing the 15-second advertisement about Flock cameras on Tuesday.
“Welcome to Texas, y’all, where we celebrate freedom from big government,” the video advertisement says. “So relax. There’s only 10,000 Flock cameras reading your plate, logging where you sleep and pray. No warrant needed in Greg Abbott’s Texas.”
In a press release accompanying the ad, Hinojosa’s campaign pointed to a $26 million contract the Texas Department of Public Safety signed with Flock under Abbott. The contract and cameras have been aimed at helping law enforcement officials crack down on illegal immigration and southern border crossings. Texas has become the state with the second-most Flock cameras in the country, according to Fox26 Houston.
Hinojosa’s campaign said it’s airing the advertisement in college towns, including College Station, San Marcos, Lubbock, Denton, Waco, Fort Worth, and Austin.
The Washington Examiner contacted the Abbott campaign for comment.
The Abbott campaign has so far remained largely mum on the issue of Flock cameras, though Hinojosa only recently amped up her criticism of the administration’s Flock policies.
Abbott has been vocal about his support for public safety and law enforcement and his efforts to crack down on illegal immigration and border crossings in the Lone Star State.
The debate over Flock cameras has recently intensified across the country as several politicians have sharpened their attacks on automated license plate readers and their implications for privacy. The cameras allow various law enforcement agencies to share data across agencies to assist in tracking vehicles and suspects across jurisdictional borders, but they have also raised privacy concerns when it comes to regular citizens who want their movements to remain private.
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Abbott has led Hinojosa by single digits in nearly all recent polls. The Cook Political Report recently moved the race from solidly Republican to likely Republican.
Abbott, a three-term governor, defeated Democrat Beto O’Rourke in 2022 by a 10.9-point margin.