Wendy Davis and Greg Abbott Will Compete for Texas Governor

Wendy Davis, the filibustering Democratic Texas State Senator, cruised to a primary victory on Tuesday night, making her the party nominee and leaving only one opponent between her and the governorship.

Wendy Davis, the filibustering Democratic Texas State Senator, cruised to a primary victory on Tuesday night, making her the party nominee and leaving only one opponent between her and the governorship. But that opponent is an intensely formidable one: Greg Abbott, the state's attorney general.

While Davis carried 79 percent of the vote in her primary, beating one other candidate, Abbott commanded 91.5 percent among the state’s larger Republican voting base in his primary. That either candidate won is hardly a surprise.

In her victory speech, Davis spoke about women’s rights and her opponent directly:

Greg Abbott wants to dictate for all women, including victims of rape or incest, what decisions they should make. I will be a governor who fights for Texas’ future. Greg Abbott? He’s just a defender of the status quo.

Abbott spoke of smaller government:

“Now that the primaries are over, it’s time that we turn our eyes toward the general election. And the question arises: What direction will be the best direction for the state of Texas?” Abbott said. “Some answer that question by demanding more government.” A predictable round of boos could be heard, after which Abbott warned that expanding government would trigger higher taxes and "the devastation of the economic miracle that Texas has created.”

In the Republican party, there will also be a run-off election in May between State Senator Dan Patrick and incumbent David Dewhurst, although it’s hardly close. Patrick garnered 41.5 percent of the vote to Dewhurst’s 28.3.

Elsewhere in the state, George P. Bush (son of Jeb, nephew of Dubya) handily won his race for land commissioner, a minor role that has been used in the past as a step stool to higher office.