State lawsuits become issues in Texas Governor’s race

Greg Abbott’s job as Texas’ top lawyer placed him in the line of fire last week.

His likely Democratic opponent called on him to stop defending lawsuits over school funding and gay marriage.

State Sen. Wendy Davis said the attorney general should settle a lawsuit brought by 600-plus school districts who saying lawmakers should not boost standards while slashing spending.

She also criticized Abbott for defending the Texas ban on gay marriage.

Those are winning issues for Davis, with most Texas parents frustrated by poorly performing schools and growing support for gay marriage.

Abbott insists his job requires him to defend all laws passed by the Legislature. That Republican primary voters think state government spends too much on schools and oppose gay marriage is a bonus for him.