It’s official: Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has won re-election. Despite aggressively raising funds from donors across the country, former congressman and failed presidential candidate Beto O’Rourke could not muster enough support to oust the governor, who will go on to serve a third term as the Lone Star State’s chief executive.

Decision Desk HQ projects Greg Abbott (R) re-elected governor in Texas.#DecisionMade: 10:23pm EST

Follow more results here: https://t.co/ogd3AkeoyM pic.twitter.com/fmysUoHkOv

— Decision Desk HQ (@DecisionDeskHQ) November 9, 2022

This outcome was not unexpected. O’Rourke never stood much of a chance, with his past statements on gun control and his tendency to support lenient border policies. Much of the race centered on economic issues, gun control, abortion, and several others. In the aftermath of the school shooting in Uvalde, O’Rourke used the tragedy to attack Abbott and Texas Republicans on gun rights.

In a particularly questionable move, the Democratic challenger crashed a press conference held the day after the shooting in which the governor and law enforcement were answering questions about the disaster. Many saw that as one of many blunders that tanked his campaign.

Abbott, for his part, has maintained a level of popularity due to his stand on immigration, guns, and other issues important to moderate and right-leaning Texans. He made waves when he began busing migrants and illegal aliens to Washington, D.C., New York City, and Chicago, to make their leaders deal with the consequences of the open borders and “sanctuary cities” policies they support. Now that the governor has locked down another term, we can expect to see more from the Abbott Express.