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
Texas Republicans sweep statewide offices, extending 28-year streak
Houston Chronicle
11/9/22
Texas GOP continues statewide election sweep as Abbott, Patrick and Paxton win reelection
Houston Public Media
11/9/22
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
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?
- 5 million
- 8 million
- 10 million
- 15 million
Which local Houston celebrity got involved in the Harris County judge race?
- Houston Astro Jose Altuve
- Houston rapper Bun B
- Furniture salesman Mattress Mack
- Houston native Beyonce
How much money was spent by Republican donors in the Harris County judge race to unseat Lina Hidalgo?
- 900,000
- 9,000,000
- 90,000.000
- 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)
