As early voting begins, pressure is on for Beto O’Rourke to close the gap with Greg Abbott

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Beto O'Rourke speaks at a rally in downtown McAllen on Nov. 17, 2021. (Credit: Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribune)

It’s crunch time for Beto O’Rourke.

The Democratic nominee for governor is entering the final stretch of his third campaign in six years with the odds stacked against him. As early voting begins Monday, Republicans are salivating at the prospect of delivering a knockout punch to his political career, while Democrats are hoping they can prove the polls wrong by turning out a new electorate aligned against GOP Gov. Greg Abbott.