NOVEMBER PREVIEW: Beto Talarico Was Outraged That Texas ‘Ignored God’s Messengers’ and Refused to Limit Gun Rights.

They rejected former U.S. Rep. Robert Francis “Beto” O’Rourke at the ballot box in 2018 when he ran against U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz on a platform that included strict gun control. National Democrat voters rejected him again in 2020 when he tried his hand at a White House bid. That campaign went so badly for him that he was forced to drop out before any primary election ballots were cast. Then he was crushed in the 2022 gubernatorial race against incumbent Republican Gov. Greg Abbott, with Texas voters again rejecting him by more than 10 points.

It turns out that yelling, “Hell yeah, we’re going to take your AR-15s,” from the debate stage isn’t a particularly effective way of winning over Texas voters.

Now, in 2026, Texas Democrats are once again running a candidate who proudly spouts the “ban modern sporting rifles” gun control mantra, hoping that maybe this time Texas gun owners will somehow vote differently.

Yeah, I have a hard time believing polls showing Beta-But-Weirder neck-and-neck with Paxton.