AUSTIN, Texas — The first presidential debate between President Joe Biden and former president Donald Trump will be held in Atlanta on Thursday. The matchup was originally scheduled for September at Texas State University in San Marcos, but the candidates decided to do things differently this year and ignore the Commission on Presidential Debates. Even though the debate isn’t in Texas, many of the topics have put the state in the national headlines. 

What You Need To Know

  • The debate was originally scheduled for September at Texas State University in San Marcos, but the candidates decided to do things differently this year and ignore the Commission for Presidential Debate
  • The border has been a No. 1 campaign issue with Texas front and center
  • Political scientists say more partisans may be focused on the border and abortion, but a large portion of voters will be focused on how the candidates address the economy

“Immigration and the border. A second will be abortion,” said Cal Jillson, a professor of political sciences at Southern Methodist University. 

The border has been a top campaign issue with Texas front and center. Texas sued the Biden administration to prevent border agents from cutting barbed wire fencing at the border and Gov. Greg Abbott has allocated more than $11 billion toward Operation Lone Star to have state personnel focus on border security. Political scientists say this is an important topic for conservative voters. 

“There’s a lot of confusion, a lot of what we call institutional paralysis taking place on the border. So until we get substantive reform in terms of immigration, I don’t think much is going to change,” said Andy Hogue with Travis County GOP. 

Last winter, Dallas resident Kate Cox unsuccessfully sued Texas for permission for an abortion under the medical exemption of the Texas law. Democrats say the state’s ban on abortion will bring their party more votes. 

“Republicans threatened her life and her ability to have children through an egregious law in Texas. That really reflects where national Republicans are,” said Matt Angle with the Lone Star Project. 

Republicans admit they’ve lost voters because of abortion laws but suggest that topic could only be a tipping point in other races. 

“You even have folks like Colin Allred running against Ted Cruz. And, you know, used to, they might say a euphemism for abortion, like women’s health, but he’s out there in his campaign ad saying the right for a woman to have an abortion. You know, very bold,” said Hogue. 

Political scientists say more partisans may be focused on the border and abortion, but a large portion of voters will be focused on how the candidates address the economy. 

“Some people may be swayed by the answers and arguments made by either of these candidates,” said Jillson. 

With a diversity of issue on the table, experts expect a record viewership Thursday night.