Democrat Beto O’Rourke Pushes Progressive Platform

O’Rourke blasts incumbent Gov. Greg Abbott on border policies, tightening election laws, and outlawing abortions

Texas Democratic gubernatorial candidate Beto O’Rourke told fellow party members on Friday that his coffers are full and his poll numbers are up, giving his campaign a much-needed boost against Republican Gov. Greg Abbott.

O’Rourke, the keynote speaker at the Texas Democratic Convention in Dallas, said he raised $27.6 million from late February to June 30 and is up 10 points in the polls against Abbott, much to the delight of delegates.

“Greg Abbott is chaos; he is corruption; he is cruelty, and he is incompetence,” O’Rourke said during the convention.

The convention, which began July 14 in Dallas, will allow delegates across Texas to vote on the party’s platform and elect party leadership. Democratic leaders at the convention focused on their plans of winning more state and national seats by running on progressive ideas. Democrats are also working to keep Latinos in South Texas voting blue.

While O’Rourke’s fund-raising efforts broke a record, Abbott has nearly matched him by hauling in $24.9 million over the same period, according to his campaign.

Abbot had $45.7 million cash on hand as of June 30, while the O’Rourke campaign did not disclose their figure. Most polls estimate O’Rourke gaining ground on Abbott, with several showing Abbott with a mere 5- or 6-point lead.

O’Rourke opposed what he called “voter suppression legislation” supported by his opponent. He endorsed a policy platform for open borders, pushed expansion of government health care, and championed gun control, abortion rights, and transgender rights for children.

His position on gun control made him the darling of liberals in 2019 during his presidential bid. At the time, O’Rourke said: “Hell yes, we’re going to take your AR-15, your AK-47.”

Gun safety advocates rally in

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