Former State Sen. Don Huffines took aim at Gov. Greg Abbott this week for failing to include conservative legislative priorities such as banning taxpayer-funded lobbying, border security, and protecting Texas children in his special session agenda for this year.

Huffines, who is challenging Abbott in next year’s Republican primary for Governor, issued a statement on Wednesday blasting Abbott on the issues and saying that Abbott’s agenda shows he is “out of touch” with regular Texans.

“I’m glad Gov. Abbott continues to steal my work and finally prioritize some conservative items I’ve been fighting for and he’s been failing on for years,” Huffines said. “However, Abbott’s refusal to add legislation to the call that protects vulnerable Texas children from Left-wing sickos who want to cause them irreversible harm and legislation banning the use of taxpayer dollars to lobby the legislature are glaring omissions that show how far out of touch he is with everyday Texans. The lack of specific border policy that will actually stop the flow of illegals into our state is also unacceptable. Here’s the truth: Greg Abbott could have prioritized these issues during the regular session or during his preceding years as governor, but he either refused or failed. His decision to address some of them now is a clear response to the momentum my campaign against him is receiving from grassroots Texans across the state.”

Abbott unveiled his special session agenda on Wednesday, which includes instructions for legislators to address bail reform, election integrity, border security, social media censorship, legislative funding, family violence prevention, youth sports protections, abortion-inducing drug restrictions, supplemental payments through the Teacher Retirement System of Texas, critical race theory, and appropriations for tax relief, cybersecurity, and foster care. Under state law, the Governor is the only person who may set the agenda for the special session, meaning Abbott’s priorities are the only items that could realistically be addressed during the special session.

Huffines is one of five Republicans running to challenge Abbott for their party’s nomination for Governor next year. Joining Abbott and Huffines in the race are state party chairman Allen West, comedian Chad Prather, attorney Paul Belew, and veteran Kurt Schwab.

The Republican primary for Governor will likely be held after next March due to redistricting.