The Austin Democrat used the forum, absent rival Ken Paxton, to discuss policy and present himself as a moderate. Republicans cast those efforts as contrary to his record.

The report also found most nonprofit facilities in Texas — which has a higher rate of medical debt than most states — will not offer refunds to patients who are later found to qualify for free care.

The race for Texas’ powerful second-in-command role pits a third-term GOP kingmaker against a state lawmaker who is riding the political tailwind felt by Democrats up and down the ballot.