Travis County Judge Apologizes for Remark About Gov. Abbott

AUSTIN, Texas — Travis County Judge Sarah Eckhardt apologized Friday night for saying Governor Greg Abbott “hates trees because one fell on him."

Tree fell on Abbott in 1984, causing paralysis
Comment made at Texas Tribune Festival

Eckhardt made the comment during a panel discussion at The Texas Tribune Festival.

At #TribFest19 panel on progressive activism, @JudgeEckhardt, talking about #txlege overriding local ordinances like Austin’s tree ordinance, says Gov. Abbott “hates trees because one fell on him.” The crowd laughs.
— John Daniel Davidson (@johnddavidson) September 27, 2019

The judge took to Twitter Friday writing in part:

"I made a flippant comment that was inappropriate. The comment did nothing to further the debate I was participating in, much less further the political discourse in our community, state, and nation. While the Governor and I disagree on a number of issues, that is no excuse to be disagreeable."

Today I made a mistake and I sincerely apologize to @GregAbbott_TX. I have personally reached out to the Governor to apologize because my comment was inappropriate and wrong. pic.twitter.com/rgOEM9EQd6
— Judge Sarah Eckhardt (@JudgeEckhardt) September 28, 2019

Abbott became paralyzed in 1984 when a tree fell on him while he was jogging. The accident left the governor paralyzed from the waist down.

Travis County Judge Apologizes for Remark About Gov. Abbott

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