Sept 19 (Reuters) – Former Congressman Beto O’Rourke is preparing to run for governor of Texas in 2022, a move that would pit a high-profile Democratic challenger against the current Republican leader of the state, Axios reported on Sunday.
The former three-term congressman and 2020 presidential candidate from El Paso has been calling allies for advice and is expected to announce the news later this year, Axios said, citing political operatives.
Beto ran against, and lost to Ted Cruz in a 2018 senate race.
The potential challenge comes as Republican Governor Greg Abbott sees his approval rating decline, according to a University of Texas poll through August 2021. Texas has made national headlines as thousands of migrants arrive at its border with Mexico, coronavirus cases surge, and the state rolls out a law that effectively bans all abortions.
