SAN ANTONIO – Early voting is just around the corner, and there are competitive elections across Texas. Professor Jon Taylor, Professor of Political Science and Chair of the Department of Political Science and Geography at UTSA, joined Leading SA to dive into some election detail.
Professor Taylor shared his perspective on the governor’s race and the potential outcome.
“The public polling suggests that Beto O’Rourke is down to Governor Abbott by anywhere between 4 to 7 points. I strongly suspect that the internal polling for the Abbott campaign especially, is probably telling him something different. Why? Because of all the negative ads we’re seeing all over TV, radio, and elsewhere, that tells you that his internal polling probably says this race is a lot closer. Beto O’Rourke is definitely campaigning like it’s a lot closer. And so it is fascinating because the difference between the two, Abbott is not making many campaign appearances better, of course, is barnstorming the state of Texas,” Professor Taylor said.
Professor Taylor said there have been noticeable differences in campaign strategies regarding the gubernatorial race.
“Abbott has been pressing the issue of property tax reform, the impact of inflation, and how that’s impacting people. And it’s kind of fascinating just to watch how they’re advertising, because you see where O’Rourke is going with the issues that are going to resonate with younger voters, with women, with people of color. On the other hand, you’ve got Abbott’s ads which are aimed more toward economic development, maintaining where he’s where he’s been and where he wants to take the state,” Professor Taylor said.
It’s not just the governor on the ballot, though. Professor Taylor discussed additional races, both state and local.
“Lieutenant governor’s race between Mike Collier and Lieutenant Governor Patrick, the attorney general’s race between Attorney General Paxton and Garcia. You’ve got a couple of fascinating races as well at the local level, for county judge, House District 118, the Bexar County district attorney’s race. And so across the ballot there are a number of races that are fun to watch that are relatively close or we think may be relatively close and are definitely, I think, going to be at least compelling to the voters in less than, well, eight days from now when early voting starts,” Professor Taylor said.
Crime and inflation are at the top of so many families’ minds around the country and here in Texas.
“You know, this is not a good year for Democrats nationally, and that tends to have an effect down ballot two state races, which is why Democrats across the state of Texas are fighting a bit of an uphill battle. That said, can they defeat the crosswinds, you know, the headwinds that are taking place? Maybe Beto O’Rourke suggests that they can. The problem is, is the way currently Democrats are positioned in the state House and state Senate, it’s going to be a bit of a reach for them to actually control one or two houses after November,” Professor Taylor said.
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