Beto O'Rourke Set To Run Against Greg Abbott For Texas Governor - Report
- The Guardian, Sept. 19, 2021.
The former Democratic congressman Beto O’Rourke is set to mount a third campaign for major political office with a run for governor in Texas, Axios reported on Sunday. Citing unnamed “Texas political operatives”, the website said O’Rourke’s challenge to the Republican governor, Greg Abbott, would be announced later this year.
A longtime adviser, David Wysong, told Axios “no decision has been made” but also said O’Rourke had been “making and receiving calls with people all over the state”.
The Hollywood actor Matthew McConaughey has also flirted with a challenge to Abbott, a hardline Republican who recently stoked liberal outrage by signing into law new voting restrictions and the most severe abortion law in the country. Some Democrats fear a “centrist” run from McConaughey, the star of hit films including Gold and Dallas Buyers Club, could divide the anti-Abbott vote.
Gilberto Hinojosa, chair of the state Democratic party, told Axios. “We hope [O’Rourke is] going to run. We think he’ll be our strongest candidate. We think he can beat Abbott.” The 48-year-old served three terms in the US House from an El Paso district before resigning to run for Senate in 2018. He lost that race narrowly to Ted Cruz, then ran for the Democratic presidential nomination. A charismatic campaigner, he started the race strongly but quickly faded and dropped out before voting began.
He has maintained a national profile. This summer, O’Rourke played a prominent role in dramatic but ultimately fruitless efforts to stop Texas Republicans restricting voting access among minorities and other Democratic-leaning groups...
- More,
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/sep/19/beto-orourke-greg-abbott-texas-governor-matthew-mcconaughey
= new reply since forum marked as read
Beto can win.
I've been suspecting for a while now that he was going to run, to the point where I am not surprised at all by this, just very, very pleased and hopeful. The timing couldn't be much better, from what I can see. With Abbott's approval rating at an all time low,* maybe, just maybe Beto has a chance.
I just hope enough non-Dem Texans can see how badly their state needs a change to the extent that they'll consider voting for him. Of course, Congress has GOT to get some voting rights passed, or else the Repugs will rig things to where he can't win, Texas will miss its chance to elect their greatest governor since Ann Richards.
*https://www.kxan.com/news/texas-politics/poll-gov-abbott-receives-lowest-ever-approval-rating-half-of-texans-disapprove-of-his-work/
EDITED TO ADD:
Of course he's decided to run! I wouldn't be surprised if this was a deliberate leak, to build anticipation, test the waters, etc. When he's ready to officially announce his candidacy, there will be a big public event with an inspiring speech and lots of media coverage!
