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DID GOV. GREG ABBOTT OR HIS ALLIES USE POLITICAL INFLUENCE TO PULL CRITICAL LINCOLN PROJECT AD FROM AIR?
September 19, 2021 — Today, The Lincoln Project release the following statement:
“The Lincoln Project produced an ad critical of Governor Greg Abbott’s COVID-19 response — paying to air the commercial nationally on the Longhorn Network during the University of Texas vs. Rice football game on Saturday, September 18. Despite being cleared by ESPN’s legal department, 10 minutes before kickoff, we were informed that the ad would not run. When asked why, we were told it was a ‘University-made decision.’
“Did Greg Abbott or his allies assert political influence to ensure the advertisement was not broadcast? Once again, instead of focusing on the task of keeping Texans safe from the coronavirus pandemic, it appears they’ve focused their time and energy on censoring those that would hold him to account for his failures. Indeed, multiple sources in Texas have informed us of the political panic inside the Governor’s office and campaign organization.
“The Lincoln Project will be filing a Freedom of Information request with the University of Texas at Austin and Greg Abbott’s official office to determine if any communications were made between the school and those within the Governor’s office in regards to this First Amendment-protected speech.
“We will not be deterred by Governor Abbott’s radicalism in support of his own political prospects and reelection campaign. We’re not finished with Governor Abbott.”
The ad, “Abbott’s Wall,” can be viewed here.
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