AUSTIN, Texas — Following a day of inauguration activities, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick celebrated the start of another term with some of their biggest supporters -- and a special musical performance.
Thousands of people packed the Parmer Events Center near downtown Austin Tuesday night for the Texas Inaugural Ball.
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"We would not be here tonight without you. You made tonight possible. Thank you, Texas," Abbott told his supporters.
Both Abbott and Patrick made brief on-stage appearances at the ball, with most of their focus being on country music star George Strait.
"The night that I won re-election, I knew immediately who I wanted to perform at this inaugural event. I knew I wanted George Strait to come perform at this inauguration," Abbott added.
During a short speech before introducing Strait, Abbott recognized Strait's efforts to help Texans affected by Hurricane Harvey. The two visited Rockport, Texas, after the hurricane, where Abbott said Strait has a home.
"We went to the parking lot of a hardware store in Rockport, and there were people there who had no power; some people who had no homes. But they showed up because George Strait gave 'em a smile and some hope and some inspiration to rebuild their lives," Abbott said.
Abbott told the crowd he had only one challenge winning re-election: he's haunted by one of Strait's songs.
"I was haunted by one of his songs because I knew that the only challenge I had in this election was I had too many exes who still lived in Texas," he said.
Abbott defeated former Dallas County sheriff Lupe Valdez, a Democrat.
Both Abbott and Patrick have now entered their second terms.
Country singer Aaron Watson also performed several hits about an hour before Strait took the stage.