Texas Gov. Greg Abbott rescinded an endorsement of a state representative in his party after the incumbent claimed that his primary challengers are running because their ethnicity aligns with the constituency.
State Rep. Rick Miller, whose represented the 26th district since 2013, claimed that his two primary challengers — Fort Bend GOP chairman Jacey Jetton and House fire department analyst Leonard Chan — entered the race because they are of Asian descent and the area has a sizable Asian population. The remarks resulted in Abbott pulling his endorsement, which was made on Oct. 15.
“Representative Miller’s comments are inappropriate and out of touch with the values of the Republican Party. In light of Rep. Miller’s comments, the governor is withdrawing his endorsement,” Abbott spokesman John Wittman said in a statement to the Texas Tribune on Tuesday.
At the time Abbott endorsed Miller, the governor called him a “strong, principled conservative who has represented the people of Fort Bend County with integrity.”
In an interview with the Houston Chronicle earlier this week, Miller called Jetton “a Korean” and added that “he has decided [to run] because, because he is an Asian that my district might need an Asian to win. And that’s kind of racist in my mind, but anyway, that’s not necessary, at least not yet.” Miller said the same for Chan and added that the two of them have never met.
Jetton and Chan both said they were disappointed by the remarks and added that Miller has not reached out to apologize.
