Perry, White Make Last Campaign Stops in El Paso

If you’re a Texas voter and didn’t cast your ballot on Friday, you’ll have to wait until Tuesday.

On the last day of early voting, Gov. Rick Perry made a last-ditch effort to get his Sun City supporters to the polls.

The rally opened with comments from Perry’s wife, Anita.

“We need strong leaders who know where they’re going, who set their compass, who get their goals and who achieve those goals,” she said.

Hundreds were in attendance at El Paso Community College’s administrative center. Organizers said about 380 responded to the invitation-only event.

“Howdy. It is good to be in El Paso,” Perry told his supporters as he walked on to the stage.

Perry called on his supporters to drive up voter turnout and put America back on track.

“We are going to send a powerful message – that we don’t want the federal government continuing to micromanage the affairs of the state of Texas,” he said.

Perry told ABC-7 he’s seeking his third full four-year term because he wants to keep Texas on track and bring more business to the state.

“To challenge those other governors. You better get your act together or we’re going to get all your businesses to move back to Texas,” Perry said.

On Thursday, Perry’s Democratic challenger, Bill White, knocked on voters’ doors in one west El Paso neighborhood.

He spoke with ABC-7 about immigration reform and border security.

“We need local law enforcement on this side of the border, not pulling people over based on appearance, but arresting people for committing crimes,” White said.

Perry said immigration reform could only be discussed after the border is secured.

“The safety of our citizens is really important. Put the troops, the law enforcement on the border at the level where the drug cartels (are so) they understand they’re no longer in charge,” Perry said.

Based on the most recent Rasmussen poll, of 500 likely voters, Perry leads White 51 to 43 percent. Five percent said they’re still undecided.