and. Part of that has to do with Abbott's sinking approval rating, which has dropped to 41% in a recent poll . Texas Primary Sets Up Greg Abbott vs. Beto O'Rourke Race As Midterms The latter is a disappointment for ORourke and Democrats who have made fixing the power grid a campaign issue, although half of the poll respondents said they dont have confidence in the grid avoiding blackouts, while 46% had some level of confidence in it. The Democrats have lost congressional seats in the midterms every year this century, with the exception of 2002 after the September 11 terrorist attacks. Abbott (ABT) Outpaces Stock Market Gains: What You Should Know Thats another crisis that Abbott survived, by pointing the finger at the states grid operator, even though his office failed to deliver warnings about the potential outages and his appointees failed to prevent the disaster. Stitt and Abbott also dove under 35% for voters' approval of how they manage their states. Some argue it softens his image as a politician. Greg Abbott has thrown his weight in the back of the proposal and is touring the state to pitch oldsters on it, in particular in rural communities. He is known to clock in long hours surrounded by a tight and loyal staff who help him plot every move, from his wardrobe disaster casual is whats on his schedule after storms to minute-by-minute scheduling of events and even downtime. In mid-April, as Gov. Strongly Approve; Approve; No Opinion; Disapprove; Strongly Disapprove; . How Beto O'Rourke Can Beat Greg Abbott in Texas - MSN A fifth-generation Texan, Bob earned a bachelors degree from Harvard University. He didnt attend the Conservative Political Action Conference in Dallas in July, which featured President Donald Trump. And Ive been that way during my entire tenure as governor.. Dan Patrick, Carrollton state Rep. Michelle Beckley leads Houston accountant Mike Collier, 31-19. By the numbers: O'Rourke has outraised Abbott since February but the governor has more in his campaign coffers $46 million versus $24 . The Lyceum poll depicts Biden's approval rating in Texas at a higher percentage (43%) than he currently has nationwide (42%, per Gallup), which Strother sees as suspect. The Dallas Morning News/UT-Tyler Poll is a statewide random sample of 1,232 registered voters conducted May 2-10. In an effort to box out the competition, Abbott, in turn, has spent the summer taking up divisive causes like building a wall on the Southern border, arresting border crossers, limiting transgender rights and urging the state legislature to pass voting restrictions and empower partisan poll watchers. Dan Patrick has a 36% to 28% lead over Democrat Mike Collier, a rematch of their 2018 contest. In February, Republicans enjoyed 52% support for a generic Texas House candidate, compared with just 45% for Democrats. His future lieutenant governor, Dan Patrick, stands behind him. Greg Abbott Job Approval: Handling of Relations with the Texas Legislature (August 2021) How much have you heard about: Governor Greg Abbott's decision to call multiple special . This is a place Ive been ever since Ive been in office, and that is a strong conservative, Abbott said. Greg Abbott still leads Beto ORourke, new poll shows, call a special session on curbing mass shootings, 63% dont think elected officials are doing enough to stop mass shootings, May 24 massacre of 19 students and two teachers at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texans should watch their wallets: Power grid report approved without public input, the November race for Texas attorney general. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott still leads Beto O'Rourke, new poll shows Abbott spoke about how people crossing the border were invading Texas and described a scene of chaos at South Texas ranches. Former US president Donald Trump endorsed more than a dozen candidates in the state's primary, including Mr Abbott. Abbott was surrounded by Lieutenant Gov. The poll also found that 37% of those surveyed said they would vote for O'Rourke if he ran against Abbott in 2022. There is going to a race for Governor in Texas, and Greg Abbott is going to have to take on both Democrats and Republicans. Only "pure" independents or members of a third party who indicate that they have no preference for Democrats vis-a-vis Republicans are considered independents. When I met Abbott back at his office in Austin a few hours after the San Antonio visit a far more understated space than Millers I asked the governor whether he thought President Joe Biden had won the November election. Opposition to overturning Roe increased to 53%, from 50% in February, while support dipped to 46%, from 47% a shift that wasnt statistically significant. Shes held Jaworski, the grandson of Watergate prosecutor Leon Jaworski, to a 26-26 split among whites and is lapping him among Hispanics, 44-13. Beto O'Rourke narrowing Abbott's lead in latest Texas governor poll - mySA Institutional Favorability Ratings (December 2022) Greg Abbott Job Approval: Public Education (October 2022) K-12 Public Education Quality (October 2022) . By 42-41, all voters say they trust ORourke more than Abbott to implement policies at the Texas-Mexico border. DeSantis in Florida, and we are just trying to keep up with the Joneses, says Lyle Larson, a moderate Republican state representative who has previously clashed with Abbott. Mr Abbott said Republicans sent a message". Greg Abbott (R) speaks at a news conference in Austin on June 8. . Mr Abbott is now in a commanding position as he seeks a third term, beginning his run with more than $50 million and campaigning on a strongly conservative agenda in Americas largest Republican state. Abbott vs. O'Rourke: Expect sharp rhetoric and fierce campaigning from Abbott and his team rallied for Springer in the runoff: The governor filmed an endorsement video, his campaign gave more than a quarter-million dollars in in-kind donations, and it aired an attack ad against Luther. The online and phone surveys were conducted in English and Spanish. Elsewhere, the Dow gained 1.05%, while . Texas Gov. Texans mostly split over Roe abortion ruling, but more are unsure, poll shows, Beto ORourke confident he can win over Collin County voters, 3 children killed, 2 wounded at Ellis County home; suspect in custody, The Cowboys are closer than you think to a total makeover at running back, How a Texas districts reaction to school shooting fears highlights discipline concerns, UIL boys basketball playoffs (6A): Tre Johnson, Lake Highlands shine; DeSoto defense rises. Beto O'Rourke 'Pretty Much Tied' with Greg Abbott for Governor's Race The survey was taken during the hubbub over a leaked draft opinion by U.S. Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito that would overturn Roe vs. Wade and allow states to decide abortion policy. It complicates his ability to campaign and travel. Respondents were asked, "How would you rate the job Greg Abbott is doing as Governor? But Jenkins, who asked a judge on Monday to block the governors mask mandate ban, says he talked to Abbott maybe once during the entire pandemic. Gov. Abbott's problem attracting far-right voters shows up in the In a state that has a history of larger-than-life political characters, the two-term Texas governor is a ruthless backstage operator, taking no uncalculated risks, figuring out how to keep donors happy and lawmakers in line, deflecting blame for crises, maintaining a massive field operation and maneuvering among the states disparate GOP factions. Abbott, though, has been strategic about when he moves to the right, and just how far to go. In 1984, when Abbott was 26, he and a friend took a break from studying for the Texas bar exam to go for a jog in Houston. When the dates of tracking polls from the same pollster overlap, only the most recent version is shown. I definitely dont like Beto.. . Lt. Gov. 46% approve and 50% disapprove of how hes handling his duties, compared with net approval of 50-46 in February. Would you say that you" Ideology is measured on a scale of 1-7, with 1 corresponding to "extremely liberal", 7 corresponding to "extremely conservative, and 4 corresponding to "in the middle." Luther, who raised more than a $1 million, made the election a referendum on Abbotts conservative credentials, arguing that the governors pandemic restrictions amounted to tyranny and that Springer was part of the Austin swamp that had enabled Abbott. Six Republican governorsMike Dunleavy of Alaska, Brian Kemp of Georgia, Brad Little of Idaho, Kevin Stitt of Oklahoma, Bill Lee of Tennessee, and Greg Abbott of Texashave fallen below 35% for management of the pandemic in their states. Would you say that you" Age is calculated according to the AGEG variable. TEXAS (CBSDFW.COM) - A new CBS News-YouGov Texas poll conducted for CBS DFW found Governor Greg Abbott has an eight-percentage point lead over Democratic . Respondents were asked, "How would you rate the job Greg Abbott is doing as Governor? News; Select Page. They all need them on their front doorstep. Respondents gave him the nod over ORourke when it comes to reducing crime (43% to 30%), securing the border (45% to 26%), improving the economy (42% to 32%), and even handling the power grid (35% to 33%). Owens said it could be tough for ORourke to capitalize on all the issues that could work against Abbott. I pointed out that Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton had sued to overturn election results in other states. Later in the month, Abbott and Trump held a joint appearance in South Texas about border security. Then, after the fiery speech, Abbott announced his first concrete step toward building a wall, something that made me feel more like I was at a Wednesday office meeting than a fired-up Trump rally: a letter directing a state agency to hire a project manager to oversee the process. As for social media, 41% say ORourke has been most visible on such platforms. A historic job approval drop: The GOP governor's job approval rating among registered . The primary season, which picks up speed in the summer, determines which candidates from each party advance to the fall campaign. Abbott greets supporters at the event on the grounds of the Alamo in San Antonio. The world can be in complete disarray, but Texas is always perfect. March 10, 2022. Abbott faces some potential vulnerabilities, the poll found. Owens said these voters could be turned off by the lack of action on gun control and other issues, as well as the rash of red-meat legislation the Legislature approved in 2021, such as the states ban on abortion. just as Abbott's approval ratings were declining following a year . While his balancing act has worked so far, the 2022 Republican primary could still turn out to be Abbotts most competitive yet if any of his challengers gain traction, he could be forced into a runoff. He was joined by Republican lawmakers and conservative activists, including the NRAs Wayne LaPierre (bottom right). That narrowed the gap from a July poll that had O'Rourke trailing Abbott 45-33. With a 2022 election more than a year away, Abbott is now in the midst of another round of navigating between primary and general election voters. AUSTIN, Texas On a muggy morning in mid-June, Gov. Its absolutely amazing that the poll shows Texas on the wrong track, she said. For five business days in late June, Abbotts schedule had been blocked off in advance for fundraising calls. By Jason Lemon On 6/8/22 at 6:00 AM EDT. Beto O'Rourke is set to run for Texas Governor in 2022 as Greg Abbott's he announced his candidacy for Texas governor in 2022, . His policy legacy is far less clear. Governor Greg Abbott has likely the most difficult election season ahead of him since the beginning of his incumbency. Would you say that you" Religiosity is calculated according to the IMPORT variable. Theyre split over whether they rate him as favorable or not, at 43%. Willeford became famous in 2017 for confronting the gunman who killed more than two dozen people at a Sutherland Springs church. Texas Voters Have Soured On Greg Abbott, But That Doesn't Mean They'll Vote For Beto O'Rourke . Publicly, Abbott blamed Cook and other House lawmakers for not passing the bill. May 27, 2022 at 7:37 p.m. EDT. I was that way as a judge. Respondents were asked, "How would you rate the job Greg Abbott is doing as Governor? I want to extend that busing part, said Culp, who ripped Biden and congressional leaders for inaction on the migrant surge. Last June, by 33-25, they agreed Paxton has the needed integrity. In December, the survey found a 49-41% split. O'Rourke notched a single-digit gap between himself and GOP Governor Greg Abbott, down from double digits last month. It revealed to old-guard Texas Republicans two years before Trump was elected president the extent to which grassroots, socially conservative agitators could outflank the traditional business-friendly wing of the GOP. In February, Roe opponents split more or less equally: One-third backed a 15-week ban, such as the one in a Mississippi law now being challenged at the Supreme Court; one-third liked banning abortions after six weeks, as in a Texas law that took effect last Sept. 1; and one-third were not sure. The decision to overturn Roe vs. Wade also creates an opening for ORourke, Brooks said. People underestimate his political strength and his adaptability and adaptability is a polite term. The agitators pull on Abbott became apparent early on in his tenure. Greg Abbott (R) initially praised the police response to the Robb Elementary School shooting but on May 27 . Candidates have to raise eye-popping amounts just to keep up, and his campaign cash has fueled Republican victories across the state. Last Friday, Abbott directed a state agency to determine whether some gender confirmation surgeries counted as child abuse. Most of the grassroots activists at the June bill signing in San Antonio said they supported Abbott for reelection, especially after his responsiveness this year to the issues they care about. October 12, 2022. Larson argues the special sessions could have been opportunities to shore up the states power grid or address issues like healthcare and education, rather than injecting Texas into the national culture wars. But Abbotts ascent in Texas has coincided with the Republican Partys move toward Tea Party populism, then Trumpism, and unlike Perry and Bush, Abbott also has only led Texas when its been a one-party state. DeSantis's approval rating is sinking like a stone. Greg Abbott is fighting for Texas families and Texas values, by creating jobs and defending our constitutional rights and freedoms. At first, the room reacted with silence as Abbott methodically explained the step. The deadline for primary candidates to file isnt until December, and its likely to get extended because redistricting has yet to take place following the delayed release of U.S. Census data. Greg Abbott speaks alongside . I think a lot of legislators are scratching their head trying to figure out why we are coming back.. For only the second time in UT polling, but the second time in less than a year, a majority of Texas voters say that the state is on the wrong track. Only 43% of Texans say the state is on the right track, down from 50% in February. While Republican voters havent budged and continue to say he has the integrity needed to serve as the states top lawyer (by 49-16), for the first time a plurality of all voters disagree: 37% say Paxton doesnt have the requisite integrity, while 30% say he does. A political newcomer, Garza appears to have ballot name advantages as a Latina. Alamo ceremony aside, Abbott generally shies away from raucous rallies in favor of local television appearances, which he does from a studio he had custom-built in his Austin campaign office. Bexar Facts poll: Abbott's approval up amid turmoil over his border Beto O'Rourke is set to run for Texas Governor in 2022 as Greg Abbott's approval rating drops to 45% Sep 20, 2021 5:27 AM Former Rep. Beto O'Rourke (pictured) has been soliciting advice from his allies, leaving them with the impression that he plans to run in Texas' 2022 gubernatorial race. Madlin Mekelburg. Without the national profile of his other red-state counterparts like Floridas Ron DeSantis, without a distinct policy platform and with near-constant pressure from Texas conservative base to shift further right, Abbott who has never lost an election seems like a shoo-in for a third term. For the most part, Abbott does too, he added. Take the 2017 debate over the states bathroom bill. In Texas, lawmakers meet for a regular session that lasts 140 days every other year; only the governor can call a special session. Even February's winter storm, which led to about $130 billion in lost output and damage according to one estimate, has barely dented Abbott's approval ratings. K-12 Public Education Quality (February 2023) That year, under pressure from Patrick and grassroots activists, Abbott included in his call for a special session a bill proposing to restrict bathroom use for transgender people. After conservative media outlets latched onto the theory, Abbott requested that the Texas State Guard monitor the operation, saying the move was meant to provide information for people who have questions. For Matthew Dowd, chief strategist for Bushs 2004 presidential election, it was the first sign that Abbott would cave to far-right pressure even if it meant lending credibility to fringe groups. Still, Molina, who supports ORourke in Novembers race for governor, said its an atrocity that Abbott and the Texas Legislature have passed a trigger law that would ban virtually all abortions, including in cases of rape and incest. Send any friend a story As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. San Antonio police officers stand in front of an image of the Alamo during Abbotts ceremonial gun legislation event. The latest University of Texas/Texas Tribune poll has been released in full. Greg Abbott doesnt do anything without thinking it through, says John Wittman, who was the governors communications director until March. Would you say that you" Education is calculated according to the EDUC variable. Its a midterm election year with a Democrat in the White House. will back come November 2022. . Using information from the 2020 Current Population Survey and Office of the Texas Secretary of State. Hes not charismatic to the same heights as Perry and Bush were, Republican pollster Derek Ryan says of Abbott. Abbott is known to clock in long hours surrounded by a tight and loyal staff who help him plot minute-by-minute scheduling of events and even downtime. The governor is kind of a recluse, says Texas Agriculture Commissioner, Sid Miller, who considered challenging Abbott in the governors race but decided to run for reelection himself. Abbott speaks during a ceremonial event at the Alamo marking the signing of gun legislation. Gov. History would suggest Republicans have a sizeable advantage as well. He maneuvered his wheelchair across a peacock green carpet and positioned himself at a low table covered with a black tablecloth. by Andrea Drusch April 26, 2022. Wendy Davis and Lupe Valdez, who ran against him in 2014 and 2018, respectively, each earned only about 40 percent of the vote. Some party insiders are pinning their hopes on Beto ORourke, arguing he is the only Democrat who could match Abbotts fundraising abilities; in the 2018 U.S. Senate race, Abbotts campaign handled voter mobilization efforts for Senator Ted Cruz, propelling his victory over ORourke. Some moderate Republicans, meanwhile, worry the powerful governor already has swung too far to the right in recent months to appease a small group of vocal voters. According to Quinnipiac University, Abbott now has a divided 44-47% approval rating. Texans are narrowly divided over Abbotts orders for Child Protective Services to investigate families who provide gender-affirming care to transgender children. If 56% of Texans say the state is headed in the wrong direction, thats a Biden problem, he added. On the eve of the start of early voting in the May 24 primary runoffs, Attorney General Ken Paxton leads fellow Republican and state Land Commissioner George P. Bush, 41-35. 60% back decriminalizing pot for recreational use, though just 42% of Republicans support that. . But, so far, his actions this summer have sent a mixed message. Report: Beto O'Rourke preparing to challenge Greg Abbott for - mySA Cook and other moderate Republicans ultimately kept the bill from getting a floor vote. And while Abbott might come off as stiff in public appearances, in one-on-one calls and meetings, donors say he is warm, friendly and even charming. both governors had 48 percent approval ratings in their respective statesdown from 51 percent for Abbott and 54 percent for DeSantis just two . Powering the governors lead is his handling of the Texas economy, with 53% favoring his stewardship and 41% who disapprove. In the end, Springer beat Luther by 13 percentage points, but the message was clear: A faction of the GOP in Texas was out to get Abbott, and if he was going to win his own primary decisively, he would once again have to maneuver to the right to win over detractors. Elsewhere on the ballot, the poll revealed that the November race for Texas attorney general is the most competitive statewide contest. Greg Abbott (R) has a 15-point edge over his main Democratic rival, former Rep. Beto O'Rourke (D-Texas), according to a new Quinnipiac University poll, a . The February 2023 University of Texas / Texas Politics Project poll has just been released, including extensive questioning about the emerging agenda for the 2023 Legislative session. This month, though, 44% of Roe vs. Wade opponents say they back a six-week ban, 29% favor a cutoff after 15 weeks and 27% are unsure. Texas Polls 2022: The Latest Texas GOP Primary Election Poll shows Greg Abbott leading by a big Margin. Greg Abbott in Danger of Losing GOP Governor Primary in Texas: Poll - MSN Only 30% of Texas registered voters say its appropriate to send foster children out of state, while 25% say its not appropriate, and 43% say they approve of such placements only in extreme circumstances. Respondents were asked, "How would you rate the job Greg Abbott is doing as Governor? In the Texas governor's race, Republican incumbent Governor Greg Abbott has a 4-point edge over Democratic challenger Beto O'Rourke among registered voters statewide. Beto O'Rourke Launches Texas Gubernatorial RunBut Polling - Forbes Abbotts political adviser says the governor will lay out his 2030 vision for the state in due time during the campaign. But Gov. Texas Governor Abbott approval rating improves, poll finds | FOX 7 Democratic challenger Rochelle Garza trailed two-term incumbent Republican Ken Paxton by 34% to 32%, making the race a dead heat. Those who responded that they are independents or "other" were then asked if they lean toward either the Democrats or Republicans. In New Poll, Signs of Trouble for Greg Abbott, Texas GOP Abbott's approval rating has slipped to 43%, and 26% of Texas Republicans disapprove of the governor's handling of the electric grid, according to the latest polling figures from the Texas Politics Project. Abbotts political legacy has been formidable.