Abbott defeats O’Rourke in Texas governor’s race

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) is projected to win reelection, defeating Democratic challenger Beto O’Rourke.

Fox News and ABC News called the race for Abbott.

Abbott consistently polled well ahead of O’Rourke throughout the contest, despite optimism among Democrats that the former congressman could oust the incumbent governor.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, who was projected to win reelection, consistently polled ahead of Democratic opponent Beto O’Rourke during the campaign. (Associated Press)

This was O’Rourke’s second attempt at statewide office, following his unsuccessful bid for Senate in 2018. O’Rourke lost by just under 3 points to Republican Sen. Ted Cruz (Texas), a surprisingly narrow defeat for a state that has not elected a Democrat to statewide office since 1994.

O’Rourke also ran a lackluster campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2020, dropping out in November 2019 before any votes were cast.

O’Rourke gave a concession speech on Tuesday night, appearing to be in good spirits as he talked about the movement he started in conservative Texas.

The Democratic candidate said he mobilized a swell of voters in the state, even as he faced great odds against an incumbent governor and strong Republican rule.

“The most awesome undertaking that I’ve ever had the pleasure or the honor to be with,” O’Rourke said of his movement. “We offered a vision, a Texas where every woman makes her own decisions about her own body … a state where children don’t have to fear going to school. … We just want a state where people are free enough and healthy enough to pursue their potential.”

O’Rourke said he doesn’t know exactly how he will be involved in politics in the future, but he promised to “continue to try to win over and over again until we can realize this dream” that he and his supporters have for Texas.

Abbott, who has held the governor’s mansion since 2015, has generated some of his own presidential chatter in recent months.

The Republican governor garnered substantial attention earlier this year with his controversial migrant busing program, which sent thousands of migrants from Texas to Democrat-led cities in protest of the Biden administration’s border policies.

Abbott said in a victory speech Tuesday night that he won a “resounding victory.”

“I ran for the thousands of Texas who said, ‘Governor, just keep Texas, Texas,'” Abbott said. “So now it’s time to go to work.”