2022 Texas primary: Abbott-O’Rourke matchup set, centrists struggle

The heavyweight gubernatorial matchup of Gov. Greg Abbott (R-TX) and former Democratic presidential candidate Beto O’Rourke is now set in stone for November following Texas’ primary elections. Both Gov. Abbott and O’Rourke won their respective primaries. According to the results on Texas’s elections website, Abbott secured the Republican nomination with over 66% of the vote. O’Rourke, who announced his intention to run last November, won the Democratic primary with over 91% of the vote. Both nominees hit on the economy in election night speeches.

“Republicans sent a message, they want to keep Texas the land of opportunity and prosperity for absolutely everybody, the prosperity that we have delivered over the past eight years,” Abbott said. “We are going to deliver a Texas for working families who can flourish under the opportunities provided by the ninth largest economy in the entire world.”

“What I need to do with Abbott is make sure that you know exactly how badly he’s failed you,” O’Rourke said. “Your electricity bills, which are up 40 to 60 bucks a month over this same time last year and will continue to go up over the next 20 years. That’s on him. That’s the Abbott tax.”

Centrists on both sides of the aisle struggled to put away opponents further along the political spectrum. On the Democratic side, Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-TX) is headed to a runoff with progressive candidate Jessica Cisneros. As of Wednesday afternoon, Rep. Cuellar held a 4% lead. He is widely known as one of the most conservative Democrats in the house.

Rep. Van Taylor’s (R-TX) primary election is also headed to a runoff. He has been the source of Republican attacks over his vote to certify the results of the 2020 presidential election. He has a more sizable lead over his four opponents, who have largely refused to accept the results.

Another primary election heading to a runoff is for Texas Attorney General. Ken Paxton (R-TX), who recently made headlines for declaring gender affirming care for children to be child abuse, held over 42% of the vote as of Wednesday afternoon. He and George P. Bush, the grandson of former President George H.W. Bush, were the top two vote getters in a field that included Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-TX).