U.S.A. -(AmmoLand.com)- “It’s déjà vu all over again,” in the words of the great baseball philospher Yogi Berra. Texas voters rejected Democrat Robert Francis “Beto” O’Rourke’s bid for higher office for the third time. This time Texans re-elected Republican Gov. Greg Abbott who handily brushed off a challenge from the perennial office seeker. Texans roundly rejected O’Rourke in an election that national gun control groups had their eyes set on, believing the third time would be the charm.
Gun control was a major plank of O’Rourke’s gubernatorial campaign, even though he gave voters whiplash on his changing position on guns. Once the dust settled on election night, Gov. Abbott was victorious by a margin of nearly 1 million votes, 52 percent to 43 percent.
Robert Francis “Beto” O’Rourke in 2018 failed as a U.S. Senate candidate losing to Sen. Ted Cruz. In 2019 he failed to garner the Democrat presidential nomination before the 2020 election. Despite going 0-3, O’Rourke left the door open for yet another gun control run for office.
“I don’t know what my role or yours will be going forward, but I’m in this fight for life,” he told supporters.
Gun Control Pretzel
O’Rourke has always been the darling of national gun control groups and has never met a gun control policy he didn’t love. His cause celebre was cemented by his “Hell yes – we’re taking your AR-15, your AK-47!” declaration from the debate stage during the Democratic presidential primary. His campaign flamed out, but in announcing his gubernatorial challenge to Gov. Abbott, he told Texas media he’d had a change of heart.
“I’m not interested in taking anything from anyone. What I want to make sure that we do is defend the Second Amendment,” O’Rourke said.
It was a clear attempt to play politics to make for a more competitive campaign but went over like a lead balloon with Texas voters.
That comment angered O’Rourke’s key gun control constituency and his tone changed again as he voiced support for several gun control measures, including criticizing Gov. Abbott for signing Constitutional Carry into law after it passed the Texas state legislature. He also made sure to score cheap political points by interrupting a press conference in the immediate aftermath of the Uvalde school shooting at the hands of a deranged murderer. The mayor of Uvalde called O’Rourke a “sick son of a b*tch” for the stunt. While national gun control groups continued to pour money into Texas, similar to their failed tactics in Florida, the Texas governor race wasn’t ever that close.
Read the Room
O’Rourke’s continued thirst for higher political office is so great he’s blinded from the most important aspect of running for office – voters. Since 2020, Texans have submitted more than 4.4 million FBI National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) verifications to purchase a firearm, according to NSSF data. That also means there are more than 1 million first-time gun buyers in the Lone Star state during the same time as national firearm sales have reached historic levels. That includes among women (40 percent of purchases) and minorities such as Hispanics, African Americans, and Asian Americans. Texas voters don’t buy the gun control Beto is selling.
A quick analysis of O’Rourke’s gubernatorial election returns highlights his failures to convince Texas voters he’s authentic and has their interests at heart. According to Texas vote data, O’Rourke’s gubernatorial campaign fared nearly 5 percent worse statewide than his 2018 senate run. He only improved his vote share in two Texas counties, one by less than 2 percent and the other by one-tenth of a percent. That’s with all the in migration to Texas from other blue states like California that has happened recently.
O’Rourke’s vote share declined by 10 percent or more in 18 counties compared to 2018, including in 7 blue counties he previously won like El Paso, Brooks, Duval and Starr County where he banked 18 percent lower support than he did just four years ago.
Crime and the ability of Americans to protect themselves and their families was a resounding concern heading into the midterm elections. In Texas, voters support their Second Amendment rights and demand their elected officials do so as well. Gov. Greg Abbott’s support for the rights of law-abiding Texans is unquestionable. As Robert Francis “Beto” O’Rourke found out for the third time in less than five years, they won’t stand for anything less.
About The National Shooting Sports Foundation
NSSF is the trade association for the firearm industry. Its mission is to promote, protect and preserve hunting and shooting sports. Formed in 1961, NSSF has a membership of thousands of manufacturers, distributors, firearm retailers, shooting ranges, sportsmen’s organizations, and publishers nationwide. For more information, visit nssf.org
Politicians who bank left are always patient and waiting in the shadows to re-emerge. States that have a semblance of right and wrong present the greatest challenge to the dems that are anti-American. Fortunately, people in Texas seem to have a good memory when someone promises to take away one’s Constitutional rights. I wish that were the case everywhere.
“I don’t know what my role or yours will be going forward, but I’m in this fight for life,” he told supporters. THAT is WHY you are out of a job! The ONLY reason you were “allowed” to have El Paso as a Congressman is because, well, it’s El Paso! You f’d up the VA in E.P., and you kept it f’d up, you NEVER DID ANYTHING, kinda like your president Mr Poopy Pants and you’re not doing anything now, other than wasting print/media space. Now go draw your unemployment, pick up your Obama Phone, Obiden Care and STFU, the big people… Read more »
I’m not sure sure Beto really wants to win. After a term in the House he can see what is expected of him as a representative of the people. The more gratifying “job” for him is that of a perpetual candidate which is why he is “in this fight for life.” He can bask in the limelight for a few months then sit on his skinny ass for a year living off of campaign contributions. Stacey Abrams does the same thing full time and rakes in millions.
it was a pleasure to vote for Abbott and send Beto back to his rotten hole.
God Bless the Republic of Texas! May her star shine forever!
O’Rourke is one sick SOB. I believe he said, during a previous campaign, that he wanted voters to “mold him into what they wanted”. Well, here’s my 2-cents worth: I’ll mold Beto into a worm, then go fishing. What a POS.
Beat-o did win a House seat about 8 years ago, from the district including El Paso. That was his one and only victory. May it be his last. I am sick of looking at him and listening to this entitled socialist. In my home county, Burnet, Conservative Rep. John Carter ran unopposed. This is Trump Country. No socialists/communists need apply.
The Libtard SOB will definitely be back in one form or another. He would brighten his chances significantly if he moved from El Paso to Austin, where he could start his climb first in the Commie Austin City Council & then in the TX Legislature. There are SO MANY ‘Tards moving to Texas from Commiefornia to work in the “Silicone Valley”, that sooner or later Texas will flip. All you’ve got to remember is that too long ago we had Libette and confirmed alcoholic “Ma” Richards as Governor. History will repeat itself unfortunately…
Why should Beto not try again in Texas for elected office? If anti-fossil fuel Fetterman can get elected to US Senate in an oil state, like Pennsylvania, a constitution carry like Texas isn’t a deterrent to the guy. All that matters to some politicians is thirst for power.
Unfortunately for Pennsylvania, Fetterman is just like Joe. He may still be able to think,(maybe) but he is unable to communicate, just like Joe. Apparently his Harlot wife is not only running him, but probably the whole state as far as the Senate goes…..Unbelievable. Now that Trump has declared war on the Dems and the and the radical left, we are now in for an interesting 2 years. I believe McConnell is now in his last term. Good riddance to the turncoat.
OV, no doubt! I saw the pictures on Fox last night of the shots taken that cut off fetterman’s head and right shoulder, and definitely put his wife in focus and prancing like an actress. There is something wrong with this whole scenario. If it smells like monkey feces, it IS monkey feces. Have you seen where Arizonans are demanding a new election in Arizona, to be held on the same day as the run-off in Georgia? Things get more interesting every day. They oughta do the same in Nevada where the security cameras went blank for over 7 hours… Read more »
OV, I understand that some of these debtors have already recieved their funds from ol’ unkie Joe Senile.
No, I don’t think so. According to the following article 16 million deadbeats have had their applications approved but thanks to a GOP led court battle, nobody has received any funds. I seriously doubt they will ever get the cash. Thankfully.
https://www.riverbender.com/topnews/details.cfm?id=396798
Agreed. After McConnell’s performance with the Senate election stash…the writings on the wall. As Cocaine Mitch rides off into the sunset, hopefully, he’s 80 years old after all, I can say only one good thing he did…kept Merrick Garland off the Supreme’s.
Or was it a good thing considering where the little dick tyrant wannabe ended up???
Senate version of Debbie Dingell. The damn Dingell family has been screwing up Michigan for 90 years.
I don’t think Uncle Festerman’s wife, Morticia Festerman can pull a Debbie Dingell, but who knows, after this election , it seems anything is possible in Pennsylvania.
You’re probably right. I saw numerous Beto for Prez bumper stickers in 2019 every time I drove on I-5 going into the 3 County area called Pugetopolis. They were always on some fugly woman/tranny’s car.
How did he even get 43%…?
I mean, who are these people?