Members of the SMU community gathered in the Greer Garson Theatre Thursday night to watch a Texas Governor’s Debate, sponsored by the Communication Studies department.

Students representing Republican candidate Greg Abbott and Democratic candidate Wendy Davis discussed what each candidate could bring to the table, as well as have a chance to cross-examine the other debater and give a final rebuttal.

Although the debate was about the Texas Governor race, neither of the participants was from Texas.

Sophomore Hallie Hovey-Murray, a Political Science major from Virginia, represented Greg Abbott. Junior Mattie Lippe, a Journalism, Communications, and Anthropology triple major from Oklahoma, represented Wendy Davis. Dr. Ben Voth, Director of Debate, moderated the event.

Lippe pointed out Texas’ potential to improve education and environment under Davis and Abbott’s disrespect for women, saying that Abbott has called Davis a “retard Barbie” in the past.

Hovey-Murray, however, used a different method, discussing the more personal side of Abbott. She pointed out that his campaign ads show the good things he has done, instead of attacking his opponent, like Davis does in her ads.

“Greg Abbott is so personal that his mother-in-law would vote for him,” Hovey-Murray said during her argument.

SMU is known for being a conservative school, so the debate was a good opportunity for students to see both parties.

“Some people here like to stick to their own side, so it is really important to hear both sides of the issues before voting,” Lippe said in a post-debate interview.

Audience members were allowed to give their own comments and cast their ballots after the debate.

Greg Abbott won in a landslide, winning 86 percent of votes.

Both participants believed the debate was a learning opportunity that reached far beyond politics.

“You might not agree with the other side, but a holistic understanding is so important,” Lippe said.

She suggests that understanding both sides is important in a debate.

“If you’re arguing with someone, you can kind of see what they’re thinking,” Hovey-Murray added.

For more information on how you can get involved, visit the Meadows Mock Trial and Debate webpage.