Replay: Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and Beto O'Rourke debate

Republican Gov. Greg Abbott and Democrat Beto O'Rourke meet Friday for their first — and most likely only — in-person debate in the Texas governor's race. They'll go head-to-head starting at 7 p.m. at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley in Edinburg.

With less than six weeks to go before Election Day, Abbott held a 7-point lead over O'Rourke in the latest poll by Quinnipiac University. Abbott's campaign messaging has centered on the economy and border security, including his Operation Lone Star initiative and a recent request for President Joe Biden to declare several Mexican cartels as "terrorist organizations."

O'Rourke has campaigned largely on abortion rights and gun control, especially after the recent mass shooting in Uvalde and the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to end constitutional protections for abortion. O'Rourke has joined Uvalde families in calling for the minimum age to buy an assault-style rifle to be raised from 18 to 21.

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Watch the debate live here starting at 7 p.m. Central:

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Replay: Greg Abbott, Beto O'Rourke debate in Texas governor's race