GOP wins House seat Biden and Beto O'Rourke backed Democrat for

Republicans won control of a closely watched congressional district in the Houston, Texas, suburbs in a special election on Tuesday. Gary Gates defeated Democrat Eliz Markowitz, garnering 58% of the vote in a district President Trump won by double digits in 2016.

Several prominent Democrats, including presidential candidates Joe Biden and Elizabeth Warren, endorsed Markowitz, a teacher. Former congressman Beto O'Rourke also spent time campaigning for Markowitz. "I’m from a family of teachers, and I know the real deal: Not only is Eliz an educator and activist — she’s the kind of fighter who will bring heart and smarts to the statehouse and to communities across Texas and at home in Fort Bend County," Biden said. "She has worked to boost access to healthcare and quality public education and to train other teachers across the country. Let's help her continue that fight for our families and futures on Jan. 28."

The election's result quells some fear among Texas Republicans that Trump is hurting the party in the more left-leaning suburbs, especially among women. “In 2018, we got hammered not only in the urban areas but in the suburbs too,” Sen. John Cornyn told the Washington Examiner late last year. National Democrats have relentlessly poured money into Texas elections since Trump won the White House, pledging to turn the state blue in 2020. “Texas is purple,” retiring Rep. Will Hurd told the Washington Examiner

https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/gop-wins-house-seat-biden-and-beto-orourke-backed-democrat-for