Is This the End of the Permanent Candidate Class?

Bidding farewell to Beto, Abrams, Crist — really, you can go now.

Share this story

From left: Stacey Abrams at her election-night party in Atlanta, Ga., November 8, 2022; Beto O’Rourke speaks to the press in El Paso, Texas, March 1, 2022; Charlie Crist during his debate with Ron DeSantis in Fort Peirce, Fla., October 24, 2022.

Carlos Barria, Paul Ratje, Crystal Vander Weiter/Pool/Reuters

Texas has around 250 miles of border wall with Mexico, but it seems like the state’s most impenetrable barrier is the one keeping Beto O’Rourke out of statewide office.

Even though Republicans performed well below expectations on Tuesday night, O’Rourke was once again resoundingly rejected by voters, making 2022 his third humiliating flop in four years. Three years ago, O’Rourke dropped out of the race for the Democratic presidential nomination, recognizing that consistently polling in the 4 percent range was not exactly a freeway to the presidency.

Christian Schneider

About the Author

Christian Schneider

Christian Schneider is a National Review contributor and writes the Anti-Knowledge newsletter. He is a co-host of the podcast Wasn't That Special: 50 Years of SNL.

Comments

Advertisement

Advertisement