With few other options, Texas Democrats need Beto O'Rourke to challenge GOP Gov. Greg Abbott in 2022

[DonViejo]

With few other options, Texas Democrats need Beto O’Rourke to challenge GOP Gov. Greg Abbott in 2022

The rising stars of the Democratic Party aren’t ready to mount major statewide campaigns.

By Gromer Jeffers Jr.

5:30 AM on Mar 15, 2021 CDT

With few other viable options, Texas Democrats are hoping that next year former Rep. Beto O’Rourke challenges Republican incumbent Greg Abbott for governor.

The El Paso Democrat is considering running for governor, saying that Abbott has failed Texas during the pandemic. He later criticized his handling of the February winter storm that left millions of Texans without power and water. That has fueled speculation that O’Rourke is all but in the governor’s race, even though he’s just as likely to opt against the underdog campaign.

“It’s very hard for us to recruit candidates right now, when you have somebody looking like he’s going to run,” Texas Democratic Party Chairman Gilberto Hinojosa told me last week. “Right now we’re just taking a wait and see attitude on this thing.”

Hinojosa didn’t rule out former U.S. Housing Secretary and former San Antonio Mayor Julián Castro as a potential candidate, even though Castro has already opted against running in 2022.

“Beto is out there. Julián’s out there. I’m figuring one of them is going to run,” Hinojosa said. “We should know pretty soon.”

more
https://www.dallasnews.com/news/politics/2021/03/15/with-few-other-options-texas-democrats-need-beto-orourke-to-challenge-gop-gov-greg-abbott-in-2022/

[comradebillyboy]

1. I also am seeing rumors that Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick

may primary Abbot from the right. Patrick seems to be an even bigger asshole than Abbot so his chances are good.

[Paladin]

2. If anybody can make Abbott look good in retrospect, Dan Patrick's the one.

Go Beto.

[FBaggins]

3. I'd rather have him return to the House and take back a close seat

Abbott last ran in the same (2018) race where O'Rourke boosted democratic turnout. Yet he did much better than Cruz did in that same election.

He almost certainly would be the best candidate for a gubernatorial run... but it's also true that he would probably lose. Which would damage his chances at later statewide races.

It would be different if the rumor above of Dan Patrick trying to primary Abbott comes true... but I think that I would still prefer him to take on Cruz in a rematch in 2024.

[Budi]

5. That's also a positive upword move for Beto. Ted is hated except for the asswipes like him.

BETO has some options & all are a plus

[Budi]

4. I'm ready. I still have my big BETO sign from the primary

Just say the word BETO!
💙