The Democrat nearly pulled off a shocking upset in a 2018 Senate race, but he may face an even steeper challenge in trying to unseat Gov. Greg Abbott next year
“The 360” shows you diverse perspectives on the day’s top stories and debates.Former Rep. Beto O’Rourke announced Monday that he is running for governor of Texas, aiming to become the first Democrat to lead the state since the early 1990s. Next year’s contest will be the third consecutive election cycle in which he’s pursued a bid for a major office, and could potentially be his third consecutive loss.
O’Rourke is the clear frontrunner to win his party’s primary to challenge incumbent Republican Gov. Greg Abbott, who is seeking his third term in office. A staunch conservative and ally to former President Donald Trump, Abbott has established a reputation as one of the most assertive promoters of right-wing policies in the U.S. He has aggressively challenged pandemic safety rules like mask and vaccine mandates.
Some local political analysts say it’s unlikely O’Rourke will be able to repeat, let alone surpass, his breakthrough performance in the 2018 Senate campaign. In that race, he was a relative newcomer who benefited from a nationwide blue wave in response to Trump’s presidency. Political trends are expected to help Republicans in 2022.
. The self-described “radical centrist” is expected to run as an independent if he does launch a formal bid.“If I were Greg Abbott, I’d probably be a little more worried about my Republican primary challengers than about Señor O’Rourke. ... The last great Democratic hope in Texas didn’t break 40 percent against Greg Abbott.
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