The state of Texas has been in the news a lot lately, amid the tragedy at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde. This mass shooting prompted a tidal wave of grief, outrage, and political debates.
At the center of the latter was Democrat Beto O’Rourke, who is currently running to take GOP Governor Greg Abbott’s job. When Abbott was giving a press conference concerning the tragedy, O’Rourke hijacked the event to shout at people and make it about himself.
In late May, when anti-gun protesters demonstrated outside of the National Rifle Association’s annual convention, O’Rourke led the pack, speaking to the people who were there.
Critics of the Texas Democrat believe his antics have been all about trying to help his gubernatorial campaign. However, if a recent poll is any indication, this doesn’t appear to be working out so well for O’Rourke, per Breitbart News.
No Major Gains For O’Rourke
In a brand new poll run by Blueprint Polling, the Texas Democrat is significantly underwater.
Abbott leads with Texas voters’ support by 56%. Meanwhile, O’Rourke comes in with only 37%. This is on-brand with other polls that were taken well before the Uvalde shooting.
The Texas governor has consistently been far ahead of O’Rourke, even despite the latter’s clear efforts to boost his campaign in one way or the next. At one point, the Texas Democrat was even trying to brand himself as pro-Second Amendment.
NEW: @ChismStrat/@blueprintpoll (D)
2022 #TXGov General Election
(R)* Greg Abbott 56% (+19)
(D) Beto O’Rourke 37%603 LV | 6/8-6/10
LV Sample: D35/I20/R45https://t.co/CEcKKGJj0y— PPUSA (@PollProjectUSA) June 13, 2022
Thus far, Blueprint Polling shows that just 7% of voters in the Lone Star State remain unsure about who to vote for. However, considering Abbott’s 19-point lead over O’Rourke, the latter could pick up all undecideds and still end up losing.
Back in 2018, O’Rourke lost a Texas Senate race to Ted Cruz, who continues to serve in the US Senate.
Sneak Peek Into November?
Blueprint Polling and other survey data have been consistently sending the same message. Most Texas favor re-electing Abbott, especially when he’s put up against Beto O’Rourke.
O’Rourke recently made headlines for stating at one of his campaign events that the southern border is “pretty great.” Illegal border crossings are at all-time highs; meanwhile, drugs and other dangerous substances continue to come across.
I applaud Lt. Gov. @DanPatrick & Speaker @DadePhelan for offering proposals that will keep schools safer, provide mental health support, & help our officers on the front lines.
This is a great start in delivering on the needs of the Uvalde community & for communities across TX. pic.twitter.com/UaMP7LnAqt
— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) June 13, 2022
As it turns out, the values of the Texas Democrat do not appear to be connecting with many people of his state. Some have said O’Rourke’s campaign seems to be based almost as if he were running in a blue state like California.
To this day, O’Rourke has yet to show he can make inroads with Texas Independent voters, let alone Texas Republicans.
What are your thoughts about this latest poll showing Gov. Abbott of Texas with a strong lead over his Democratic challenger? Please share your insights with us in the comments section.
