An exchange on Sunday's Lone Star Politics, the weekly show NBC 5 produces with our media partner The Dallas Morning News, suddenly took center stage in the Texas gubernatorial campaign Monday.
A series of Tweets and emails, the Wendy Davis campaign cited an exchange between two consultants, Democrat Matt Angle and Republican Matt Mackowiak, in which Mackowiak referred to cases of women seeking abortions in cases of rape and incest as "minor issues."
RT to tell @GregAbbott_TX: Banning abortion in cases of rape and incest is not a "minor issue." #NotMyTexas http://t.co/BJxEE6R7lO — Wendy Davis (@WendyDavisTexas) September 22, 2014
Abbott surrogate Matt Mackowiak thinks that major traumas are "minor issues." Fight back: http://t.co/qkrhopSmeO pic.twitter.com/ItFkfSNJ9P — Battleground Texas (@BGTX) September 22, 2014
Mackowiak clarified that he was only referring to the percentage of total abortions. You can watch the exchange above.
Local
The latest news from around North Texas.
Here is an excerpt:
Mackowiak: "Texas is a pro-life state. We can get into minor issues that are one percent or two percent the problem. But ultimately Texas is a strong pro-life state. Abbott would love to fight this campaign on that issue alone from here on out but Wendy knows that's not strategically wise."
Angle: "That's the first time I've heard rape or incest called a 'minor issue.'"
Mackiowak: "It's minor in terms of the percentage of cases. That's all I'm saying."
Angle: "A victim of rape or incest is not a minor problem."
Davis spokesperson Zac Petkanas released this statement Monday:
"Rape and incest are horrific crimes, not 'minor issues.' This disgusting viewpoint illustrates exactly why Greg Abbott is so out of touch when he says he would make abortion illegal even in the cases of rape and incest."
An email from the Davis campaign also refers to Mackowiak as a "surrogate" of Greg Abbott. However, this afternoon Mackowiak confirms that is not is not employed by or advising the Abbott campaign.
