Several Texas politicians have sharp rebukes for the 2005 comments made about women by Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump.
On Saturday, a defiant Donald Trump says he will "never" abandon his White House bid. A growing number of Republicans are calling on him to do just that following the release of his vulgar and sexually charged comments caught on tape in 2005.
On Sunday, Texas Governor Greg Abbott tweeted the following: "Deeply disturbing rhetoric by Trump. An insult to all women & contrary to GOP values. Absent true contrition, consequences will be dire."
Rep. Michael Burgess was the first GOP member of the North Texas delegation to respond publicly. Via Twitter, Rep. Burgess said he cannot condone the remarks.
"However as Mr. Trump stated, this campaign has changed him as a candidate and a man and this election needs to be about which candidate will advance our conservative principles," wrote Rep. Burgess. "Based on comments made by Hillary Clinton in paid speeches, there is no doubt Mr. Trump remains the best candidate for President."
Trump was slapped by his own running mate, Mike Pence, who said he was "offended by the words and actions" Trump described in the video.
U.S. Senator Ted Cruz of Texas agreed. On Saturday, he tweeted: "These comments are disturbing and inappropriate, there is simply no excuse for them."
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Sen. Cruz recently endorsed Trump after refusing to say his name during the 2016 Republican National Convention. The two engaged in a bitter primary battle. Sen. Cruz said he cannot support a candidate who attacks his family. In July, Trump re-tweeted a tweet with an unflattering photo of Sen. Cruz's wife, Heidi, opposite his wife Melania. The caption read "the images are worth a thousand words."
Fellow Republican, U.S. Senator John Cornyn of Texas also tweeted his reaction: "I am disgusted by Mr. Trump's words about women, our daughters, sisters and mothers."
Late Saturday, Phillip Huffines, chairman of the Dallas County Republican Party issued a statement. "Women and all people should be treated with the utmost dignity and respect," said Huffines. "His comments are not reflective of the Republican Party or that of any gentleman. It is my hope that Mr. Trump will demonstrate stronger leadership in the future."
The Tarrant County GOP chairman said the following: "What Donald Trump said 11 years ago was awful and not representative of the values and beliefs we share as a party," wrote Tim O'Hare. "He has apologized, and we are called to forgive people for their thoughts and actions, even if they are as disturbing as these. I hope his heart has changed in these 11 years, but to say this is very troubling is a serious understatement."
Democratic North Texas congressman Marc Veasey said he was not surprised by Trump's comments. "Trump's words and his actions are vile and offensive, making him unfit to lead this great country," wrote Rep. Veasey in a statement.
