Voting and ElectionsTexas GovernmentDemocratic PartyLocal PoliticsRepublican PartyElectionsTexasTexas State PoliticsCampaigns & ElectionsAmerican GovernmentPolitical PartiesState GovernmentVoting

Republicans Prevail Statewide as Abbott is Elected to Third Term

Republican candidates won every statewide race in the 2022 midterm against their Democratic opponents and continued a winning streak that dates to the 1990s. Governor Greg Abbott won a decisive victory against his most formidable opponent yet, Democrat Beto O’Rourke.

Despite low turnout in the state and disappointing results in national contests, Republicans maintained their stranglehold of statewide offices. They succeeded by recapturing votes in the rapidly growing suburban/exurban areas of Texas and making continued inroads with Hispanic voters. 

Democratic gubernatorial candidate won how many counties ?

INSTRUCTORS: click the link below to download this week’s lecture for use in your classroom. The deck contains a writing prompt and a debate question as well as other assessment questions.

Videos:

News Articles:

Greg Abbott reelected Texas governor, defeating Beto O’Rourke

Texas Tribune

11/8/22

https://www.texastribune.org/2022/11/08/greg-abbott-beto-orourke-texas-governor-race/

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott wins reelection over Democratic challenger Beto O’Rourke

USA Today

11/7/22

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/texas-gov-greg-abbott-wins-reelection-over-democratic-challenger-beto-orourke/ar-AA13TLiM

Texas Republicans sweep statewide offices, extending 28-year streak

Houston Chronicle

11/9/22

https://www.houstonchronicle.com/politics/election/2022/article/Live-coverage-Texas-Statewide-offices-17557226.php

Texas GOP continues statewide election sweep as Abbott, Patrick and Paxton win reelection

Houston Public Media

11/9/22

https://www.houstonpublicmedia.org/articles/news/politics/elections/2022/11/09/437125/texas-gop-continues-statewide-election-sweep-as-abbott-patrick-and-paxton-win-reelection/ 

News Articles (Analyses):

Beto O’Rourke has lost three races in four years. Is his political career over?

Texas Tribune

11/8/22

https://www.texastribune.org/2022/11/08/beto-orourke-texas/

THREE STRIKES: Once highly-touted Beto O’Rourke loses third election in a row

Fox News

11/8/22

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/three-strikes-once-highly-touted-beto-orourke-loses-third-election-in-a-row/ar-AA13TIFs

Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo wins tight race for reelection

Texas Tribune

11/9/22

https://www.texastribune.org/2022/11/09/harris-county-judge-lina-hidalgo-alexandra-mealer/

Lina Hidalgo Prevails Against Republican Offensive in Harris County

Texas Observer

11/9/22

https://www.texasobserver.org/lina-hidalgo-prevails-against-republican-offensive-in-harris-county/

Assessment:

Writing: Explain why Republicans have an inherent electoral advantage in Texas. How did O’Rourke try to counteract this advantage?

Debate: Is low voter turnout a problem or is it merely a reflection of voters’ dissatisfaction with the candidates ?

Poll: Do you believe that the new voting laws in Texas have depressed voter turnout in the state?

Short Answer: Why is it so difficult to win statewide office in Texas regardless of political party?

QUIZ:

Approximately how votes were cast in the Texas gubernatorial election?

  1. 5 million
  2. 8 million
  3. 10 million
  4. 15 million

Which local Houston celebrity got involved in the Harris County judge race?

  1. Houston Astro Jose Altuve
  2. Houston rapper Bun B
  3. Furniture salesman Mattress Mack
  4. Houston native Beyonce

How much money was spent by Republican donors in the Harris County judge race to unseat Lina Hidalgo?

  1. 900,000
  2. 9,000,000
  3. 90,000.000
  4. 100,000,000

Beto O’Rourke won 32 counties in his 2018 challenge to Senator Ted Cruz. (T/F)

O’Rourke interrupted an Abbott news conference over the governor’s handling of abortion. (T/F)

Texas Democrats last won a statewide office in 1994. (T/F)

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *