FOLLOW US

In the state of Texas, politics are heating up with many eyes watching it all play out.

While the Lone Star State has remained red for decades, there are many Democrats who are all too eager to change this. Just last month, House Democrat Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez declared that flipping Texas blue is merely a matter of time.

This year, Texas is one of several states with a gubernatorial election underway. This is one critical reason why Democrats are so laser-focused on Texas, trying yet again to turn it into a blue state.

On Monday, the state held the Texas primary elections for both Republicans and Democrats. In some fields, the results turned out as expected; however, in other scenarios, the Lone Star State threw out some unforeseen plot twists.

The latest news on the Texas primary elections

In the Lone Star State, Republican Governor Greg Abbott managed to successfully beat back challengers from within his party. On March 1, Abbott won the Texas GOP primary with 66.4% support.

On the Democratic side, Beto O'Rourke managed to win the primary.

O'Rourke won the gubernatorial primary with over 91% in-party support. However, O'Rourke's track record in Texas general elections is not all that great. Back in 2018, for instance, he lost the Texas senatorial election to Ted Cruz.

Since Abbott and O'Rourke won their party's respective primary elections, they will face off against each other in the general election. Thus far, every single Texas poll shows the incumbent governor leading his Democrat opponent.

In the race for the Texas attorney general, things are a bit more nuanced. Incumbent Attorney General Ken Paxton is now entering into a runoff against GOP challenger George P. Bush.

On the Democratic side for Texas attorney general, Rochelle Garza easily beat back her competitors.

What to expect going forward

The Texas governor's race is going to remain front and center.

Abbott has consistently maintained confidence in his ability to defeat O'Rourke and win a third term as the Texas governor.

Meanwhile, O'Rourke (amid several polls that don't look so good for him) appears to be trying to rebrand a bit. Weeks ago, the Texas Democrat called himself a defender of the Second Amendment, despite his ongoing attacks against constitutional carry and gun ownership.

O'Rourke has since faced criticism over this, as detractors claim he'll say anything to get into the Texas governor's mansion.