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Abbott Faces Thorny Death Penalty Decision

Texas Governor Greg Abbott (R)

The death penalty has strong public support in Texas. Political candidates don't dare get in the way of the state's use of the ultimate punishment. But Greg Abbott, Republican candidate for governor, must soon make a decision as attorney general that could disrupt the nation's busiest death chamber. Abbott must decide whether Texas must disclose the source of its execution drugs, which could prompt suppliers to halt their deliveries.

Abbott's predicament should provide a political opportunity for Democratic opponent Wendy Davis, but it doesn't. Davis also supports the death penalty. But Abbott's record as a law-and-order attorney general makes it difficult to portray him as soft on crime. In a state where more than 70 percent of the people support capital punishment, there's little room to maneuver on the issue.

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.