Beto O'Rourke

After defeating O’Rourke — Texas’ most promising Democrat in recent history — Abbott begins his third term in a strong position, with a rising national profile and a governing mandate in the eyes of fellow Republicans.

He has been the Texas Democratic Party’s great hope. But after failed runs for senator, president and governor, observers wonder if he has a political future.

Abbott's victory was expected — the Republican led in poll after poll and raised more money than O'Rourke. The last Democrat to win a Texas gubernatorial race was Ann Richards in 1990.

He vowed that he would ensure the will of the voters was honored, and, if elected, he would reunite a deeply divided state.

McCraw is expected to provide an update on the Uvalde investigation to DPS’ Public Safety Commission on Thursday morning.

Days after a former warden was arrested in connection with a migrant’s murder in Hudspeth County in West Texas, the Democratic challenger blamed “hateful rhetoric” for an increase in violence in the state.

The debate from the Rio Grande Valley took place as O’Rourke continues to trail in the polls.

Edinburg sits about 20 miles from the Mexico border and is home to around 100,000 people. On Friday night, Edinburg will become the only town to host a gubernatorial debate between Republican Gov. Greg Abbott and his challenger, Beto O’Rourke.

O’Rourke was in the middle of his Drive for Texas campaign, a multi-week, 5,600-mile trek across the state, when he became ill.

Texas gubernatorial candidate Beto O'Rourke said he will rest from home after being diagnosed with a bacterial infection. He's now holding virtual campaign events instead.