Get ready for a Texas showdown: Greg Abbott, Beto O’Rourke are different as can be
Now that the primary is over, the race for governor will be a real showdown between two vastly different personalities, generations, but mostly — ideas.
Beto O’Rourke was the Democrat favorite from the beginning, but securing over 90 percent of the vote in any five-person race is uncommon. Losing no time, O’Rourke campaign released an ad this morning targeting the “people of Texas.” In his signature button down shirt while sitting, buckled, in his car exuding the casual, laid-back appeal he’s become known for, O’Rourke appealed to the strength of character of everyday Texans in crisis before highlighting his candidacy for governor.
“Everywhere I go, I’m struck by how amazing the people of Texas are,” he begins. “If right now we come together as Democrats, as Republicans, as independents, as really actually none not any of those things but as Texans … there is no stopping us in what we can do.”
It will be interesting to see how O’ Rourke’s calls for unity play out in Texas, a state that voted for Donald Trump over Joe Biden, another leader who ran on unity. Even though many politicians use that term, most Texans know there’s more to him than air-drumming to The Who while suggesting all Texans can help Texas.
O’Rourke advocates policies that differ greatly from Abbott including “healthcare for everybody,” improving public schools and the cost of living and fixing the power grid. Though O’Rourke caught significant flak from Texans for vowing to take away certain rifles, he’s since walked back his progressive stance and touted respect for the Second Amendment alongside additional gun control measures. The question is: Will Texans buy it?
O’Rourke ’s emphasis on the people of Texas while also being what Democratic strategist Maria Cardona once called in 2018 “a young fresh face with a sprinkling of woke, a cool persona, a new perspective,” could prove to be a real threat to Abbott, if indeed the shine has not worn off. Abbott is obviously older, more traditional, and probably wouldn’t even care if he was “cool” or not.
O’Rourke’s weakness, of course, is as obvious as his cool personality: He lost his Senate race in 2018 against Sen. Ted Cruz, didn’t go far as a presidential candidate in 2020, and the highest office he’s ever held is congressman from El Paso. Voters know that O’Rourke has little experience and what’s more, that his priorities and proposals diverge widely from what many Texas voters support.
Ideas and experience are certainly a boon for Abbott as is his personality that exudes more old-school swagger than charisma, a key distinction and pull for Texans outside big cities. A firm grasp on both undoubtedly helped him secure nearly 1.3 million votes in this primary, about 119,000 less than his 2018 primary. Not bad given there were seven opponents and two challengers, including the far-right conservatives Allen West and Don Huffines, who pulled almost a quarter of a million votes away from him.
West, who appeared at my polling location on Election Day, declined to comment when I asked him if he’d support Abbott in the primary or not.
“Tonight, Republicans sent a message to keep Texas on the path of opportunity & prosperity. … Together, we’ll secure the future of Texas & protect the individual liberties we all cherish,” Abbott tweeted late Tuesday night.
Abbott mostly seemed to let his experience as governor speak for itself. He’s popular with conservatives who appreciate his emphasis on individual liberty — Texas was one of the first states to reopen businesses and schools and remove mask mandates via his decrees. His support of the “heartbeat” abortion ban, open carrying of guns without permits, and legal alcohol delivery boosted his appeal to traditional Texas conservatives. Despite high gas prices and supply chain issues, Texas’ economy continues to grow rapidly, something Abbott can take credit for, especially as many blame President Joe Biden for massive inflation.
Abbott’s experience is a boon for conservatives but will be a target for O’Rourke, who can point to the power grid failure as one of his biggest mistakes as Governor as well as ongoing border issues. This November will come down to how much voters care about the issues as well as the personality of the men who represent them.
