RepublicanGreg Abbotthas secured another term as governor of Texas, defeating his Democratic challenger, former U.S. Rep.Beto O’Rourke, according to Associated Press projections.
Abbott, 64, previously served as part of the Texas Supreme Court, and as the state’s attorney general, before assuming the governor’s seat in 2015.
His victory Tuesday over O’Rourke, 50, will help him further advance his agenda, which focuses on job creation, funding the police and tightening border security (in 2021, he said he wants to build astate-funded wallin response to former PresidentDonald Trump’s failed plan).
O’Rourke, who launched abrief presidential bidin 2020 and previously served three terms in the House of Representatives, ran on a platform supporting stricter gun laws, increased funding for schools and teachers and less-restrictive abortion laws.
Beto O’Rourke, Greg Abbott.Scott Eisen/Getty, Tony Gutierrez/AP Photo
Between thetragic shooting at Robb Elementary Schoolin May that killed 19 children and the Supreme Court decision tooverturnRoe v. Wadein June, eliminating the constitutional right to abortion, there were several contentious issues that O’Rourke was able to seize on in his mission to unseat the incumbent.
Abbott controversially praised law enforcement for their efforts on the day of the mass shooting before it was revealed that more than 20 officersstalled in the school hallwayfor close to an hour, a delay that was deadly.
Beto O’Rourke.Alex Scott/Bloomberg via Getty
In O’Rourke’s initial campaign video from last November, he clarified his desire to run for governor was rooted in opposing the state’s current leadership, which focused “on the kind of extremist policies — around abortion, or permitless carry, or even in our schools — that really only divide us.”
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Aside from improving gun control laws, a key part of the Democratic congressman’s platform was working toreverse the state’s abortion ban.
“Just imagine the shockwaves this will send if for the first time in 32 years, Texas elects a Democrat as governor, a governor who won on the right of every woman to make her own decision about her own body, her own future and her own health care,” O’Rourke said, according toThe Texas Tribune.
Tuesday’s midterm elections were consequential for U.S. Congress as well, with the Democrats controlling both the House and the Senate prior to Tuesday.
source: people.com
