Greg Abbott, the Republican candidate for Texas governor, has responded to the news that a former staffer had organized a “Catch an Illegal Immigrant" game at the University of Texas at Austin by linking his Democratic opponent, state Sen. Wendy Davis, to Satanism.

Former Abbott staffer and chairman of the UT chapter of Young Conservatives of Texas (YCT) Lorenzo Garcia had claimed that the game was "intended “to spark a campus-wide discussion about the issue of illegal immigration," but the event was canceled on Monday after it received national attention.

In a statement, Garcia said that he was concerned that "the university will retaliate against them and that the protest against the event could create a safety issue for our volunteers."

University President Bill Powers also released a statement saying that the "proposed YCT event is completely out of line with the values we espouse at The University of Texas at Austin."

A statement from UT System Chancellor Francisco G. Cigarroa and Board of Regents Chairman Paul L. Foster said that it was "both disappointing and dishonorable for any UT student to treat another with disrespect, and we hope that the Young Conservatives of Texas explore more constructive and mature ways to promote a dialogue about issues of concern to them."

But Abbott's campaign found a way to turn the “Catch an Illegal Immigrant" game around as an attack on Davis, even linking her to "Satan."

"Our campaign has no affiliation with this repugnant effort. Illegal immigration and the failed policies of the Obama Administration are not a joking matter," a statement from Abbott spokesperson Avdiel Huerta said. "Conservatives should not stoop to the level of liberals, whose shenanigans at the Texas Capitol this summer, including chants of 'hail Satan' during Senator Davis' filibuster to allow abortions after five months, did nothing but sidetrack the Texas Legislature."

(h/t: Burnt Orange Report)