‘You picked the right person’: Former Texas Governor Rick Perry stops in Hopkins County to support Jill Dutton

SULPHUR SPRINGS, Texas (KETK) – Former Texas Governor Rick Perry was in Hopkins County on Thursday to support Texas House District 2 Rep. Jill Dutton.

“This turnout tonight is a great example of why you picked the right person,” said Perry.

The rally was held in Sulphur Springs at the Civic Center as Dutton aims for a victory in the March 5 primary to keep her seat.

Mail-in ballot applications for March primary due Feb. 23

“We were counted out,” said Dutton. “We were underestimated. And look at us. We’re here.”

Perry praised what he said is Dutton’s ability to do her job the right way, and to get things done in Austin.

“She’s going to be a bright light in that city,” Perry said. “She’s going to be a person who has the ability to work with folks that are frankly both sides of the isle and that’s okay.”

Dutton thanked voters who are supporting her through the general and special elections.

“The reason we’re here is because y’all took a chance on me,” Dutton said.

She said that helping Governor Abbott is vital in the state capitol.

“Governor Abbott needs our help,” she said. “ I want to go to Austin and give him the backing that he needs.”

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Besides securing the border, cutting property taxes is what Dutton said she is focused on.

“We have great businesses,” she said. “It’s a great place to start a business but our property taxes are skyrocketing because our appraisals are going up. We need to cut those permanently.”

Win or lose, come March 5 against Brent Money, Dutton said getting to know voters was something she’ll cherish.

“It was very important to me that I got to know you,” Dutton said. “In Hunt County, Hopkins County and even getting to know some people I didn’t know in Van Zandt County.”

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