\u201cAs a candidate who needs to draw a nut straight to defeat [incumbent Gov.] Greg Abbott, R, in November, Beto can\u2019t afford to leave any stone unturned,\u201d Jones said. “Given the combination of Texans\u2019 love of gambling, along with the tax revenue legalized casino gambling would bring in for the state, it is a good issue for Beto to highlight — even if it only gains him a relatively small number of voters in the fall.”<\/p>\n
Still, incumbent Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, R, is likely to be reelected in November for a third term, Jones said. Patrick also will likely have a super-majority of either 19 or 20 Republican senators in the state Senate. There are 31 total senators.<\/p>\n
Patrick has consistently opposed casino gambling and has not indicated that he has changed his opinion on the issue,\u201d<\/strong> Jones cautioned. \u201cLt. Gov. Dan Patrick [also] will continue to run the Texas Senate with an iron hand and a strong majority during the 2023 legislative session.\u201d<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\nSo, it is likely casino gambling will once again be dead on arrival in the 2023 biennial legislative session, Jones predicts.<\/p>\n
In addition, Brandon Rottinghaus, a University of Houston political scientist, cautions that O\u2019Rourke is counting his chickens before they hatch.<\/p>\n