Beto O'Rourke

The latest fundraising figures in the governor’s race confirm what’s long been seen as the state of play: O’Rourke is a strong fundraiser, but Abbott, with over $65 million saved up, is on another level.

"What happens here really becomes a test case of whether Latinos will always be Democrats or not," Dr. Mònica Clua, global political economy professor at University of Texas at Rio Grande Valley, said.

Quinnipiac has not been polling in Texas for very many years but does have more experience in other parts of the country.

Hundreds attended a Sunday afternoon rally at Fair Park in support of Beto O’Rourke’s candidacy for Texas governor.

El Pasoans who have followed O’Rourke’s political career are excited about his run for governor. But his critics still remember his support of a development plan that could have displaced Mexican American residents from one of the city’s oldest barrios.

The former El Paso congressman tells Texas Standard he wants to “get us past the very small, divisive politics of this moment and of the current governor.”

O’Rourke’s decision to challenge Gov. Greg Abbott ends months of speculation and gives Democrats a formidable campaigner at the top of the ticket — someone who transformed Texas politics with his blockbuster campaign against U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz in 2018.

The march starts in Georgetown and ends at the Texas Capitol on Saturday, where the groups will hold a rally on the south steps.

Members left Texas about 10 days ago and have said they plan to stay out of state until after the special session ends Aug. 6.

“Whatever Beto decides to do is the domino that affects everybody," said Royce Brooks, executive director of Annie’s List, the Texas Democratic women-in-politics group.

There’s no road trip, no soul searching. No beard or blogging. But Beto O’Rourke is making a political life decision again. Three years after becoming Democrats’ breakout star out of Texas, and a year removed from a short-lived presidential run, O’Rourke is again weighing another campaign — this time for governor.