FILE - In this Feb. 18, 2014 file photo Texas gubernatorial candidate Greg Abbott, left, visits with supporters during a stop in Denton, Texas, to promote early voting with Rocker Ted Nugent, wearing cowboy hat, center. Abbott, the leading Republican candidate to succeed Gov. Rick Perry, remained silent about Nugent Friday, Feb. 21, after taking heat this week for inviting the brash gun-rights guitarist to appear with him at campaign events. (AP Photo/The Dallas Morning News, Ron Baselice)