If Democrat Wendy Davis falls short in her bid to become the next governor of Texas - which seems likely, given current polling data - she can at least be sure it wasn't because she pulled any punches in her campaign advertisements.
In a brutal ad released this week, Davis' campaign notes that Abbott, who's been using a wheelchair since he was partially paralyzed by a falling tree in 1984, sued and received millions of dollars in compensation for his injury. But since then, the ad charges, Abbott has built a career on denying other victims the same justice he received.
"A tree fell on Greg Abbott," the narrator says as an empty wheelchair is shown onscreen. "He sued and got millions. Since then, he's spent his career working against other victims."
"Abbott argued a woman whose leg was amputated was not disabled because she had an artificial limb," the ad continues. "He ruled against a rape victim who sued a corporation for failing to do a background check on a sexual predator. He sided with a hospital that failed to stop a dangerous surgeon who paralyzed patients."
"Greg Abbott: he's not for you," the ad concludes.
The spot predictably created a firestorm of controversy. Abbott's campaign condemned the ad and said it should "disqualify" Davis from voters' consideration.
"It is challenging to find language strong enough to condemn Sen. Davis' disgusting television ad, which represents a historic low for someone seeking to represent Texans," Abbott spokeswoman Amelia Chasse told CNN. "Sen. Davis' ad shows a disturbing lack of judgment from a desperate politician and completely disqualifies her from seeking higher office in Texas."
The Davis campaign, though, said the ad's charges were fair game.
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Democrat's ad attacking disabled foe features wheelchair