Palestine Mayor Calls Out Abbott After Governor’s Visit, Says City Was Never Notified

PALESTINE, Texas (TXAN 24) — Palestine Mayor Mitchell Jordan is publicly responding to Gov. Greg Abbott’s visit to the city, saying he was never notified that the governor would be coming to Palestine and was not given an opportunity to meet with him.

Abbott visited Palestine Tuesday as part of an affordability-focused stop, meeting with local farmers, ranchers, small-business owners and community leaders at Old Magnolia Mercantile. The governor discussed property taxes, insurance costs, workforce expenses and his broader affordability agenda.

Jordan said during a Facebook Live that the lack of communication also meant the city was not prepared to provide the normal level of coordination he would expect for a visit by the governor, including having local security, EMS and fire resources prepared.

The mayor said he subsequently received calls from other mayors asking how his meeting with Abbott went, only to have to tell them he had not been contacted.

Jordan also challenged two points raised during Abbott’s visit.

On data centers, Jordan said the projects are not wanted by the people of Palestine, pushing back against the broader discussion surrounding data-center development in Texas. Abbott has recently taken steps to slow the industry, including directing the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to halt state permits for data centers while state agencies conduct audits of their electricity and water use.

Jordan also disputed the governor’s characterization of affordability, saying affordability is a real issue in Palestine and is not a hoax.

Jordan emphasized that elected officials are welcome in Palestine and encouraged to come talk directly with residents.

But he added a message for politicians visiting the city: “Don’t use Palestine, Texas as a backdrop or a photo-op.”

The mayor’s comments put a local-government perspective on Abbott’s Palestine appearance and raise questions about communication and coordination between the governor’s office and the city.