Following recent reports that illegal border crossings hit an uptick in April despite being at nearly a record high, one candidate for Texas Governor is calling on the Lone Star State to build the wall and secure the border.

In a statement, former State Sen. Don Huffines, who launched his campaign for Governor last week, called on Texas to finish the border wall, saying the move is necessary for the safety of Texans.

“The Biden Administration won’t secure our border, so Texas will,” Huffines said in a statement. “As governor, I will immediately authorize construction on a border wall. We will build our own wall without the federal government, and we’re not going to ask their permission to do it. It will be a Texas wall. And we won’t stop building until it’s complete. Texans know our border is wide open. More illegal aliens are pouring into our state than ever before. This is an invasion. Texans are rightfully fed up with state politicians in Austin who campaigned on securing the border but then lacked the courage to do it after being elected.”

Huffines went on to criticize Gov. Greg Abbott for his actions related to securing the border, saying a completed border wall would only come as a result of “actual Republican leadership.”

“Abbott has had six years to get the border under control, and he’s failed. His inaction shows a flagrant disregard for law and order and for the safety of Texans. Texas welcomes people from all backgrounds who come here by legal means, and who value our state, appreciate what makes it special, and want to build their futures here with us. Our state will not welcome chaos, however. Texas needs its own border wall, and it will only get built once we have actual Republican leadership—no excuses.”

Huffines is challenging Abbott in the March Republican primary for Governor, giving Abbott what might be his most competitive election cycle yet. Also joining Huffines and Abbott in the race is comedian Chad Prather.

For more information about Huffines, visit www.donhuffines.com.