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GOP worries Beto could win the suburbs

Photo: Brandon Bell/Getty Images Democratic gubernatorial candidate Beto O'Rourke drew thousands of people to a rally in Frisco during the weekend, prompting worry among some Collin County Republicans."Texas is turning blue," Kyle Sims, a GOP Collin County precinct chair, after seeing the size of O'Rourke's crowd. "Collin County is turning blue." Why it matters: If he has any hope of defeating Gov. Greg Abbott in November, O'Rourke will have to do well in the state's suburbs. Collin and Denton counties could be key battlegrounds. Driving the news: O'Rourke in Frisco that the large crowd is a signal that he can win in Collin County. The big picture: Concerns about the and Abbott's declaration that the Uvalde shooting "" — combined with the fact that a majority of Texans — have likely weakened Abbott's stronghold.Yes, but: A lot of Texans for the recent spike in inflation. By the numbers: Last month, a Quinnipiac poll showed Abbott had a over O'Rourke. A new shows a similar margin, but 66% of voters polled also said the governor should call a special session to help curb mass shootings — which has become a cornerstone of O'Rourke's campaign. Former President Trump won Collin County with 51% of the vote in 2020. in his 2018 U.S. Senate bid against Republican Ted Cruz. The intrigue: O'Rourke's campaign has made a point of highlighting who say they're planning to vote for him this year.Plus, few states will likely as much as Texas. The bottom line: still think Abbott is a heavy favorite, but it'll be closer than it looked like it would be even a few months ago. Get more local stories in your inbox with .Subscribe Support local journalism by becoming a member.

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