Fans Are Blaming Beyonce For Beto O’Rourke’s Loss To Ted Cruz
Published -
- November 9, 2018
- 12:48 am
Beyoncé Knowles-Carter is no stranger to getting political, but sometimes she just can’t win.
On Tuesday, November 6th, 2018, Queen Bey took to Instagram to share a last-minute endorsement for Texas Democratic senatorial candidate Beto O’Rourke. But the pop icon was quickly slammed by many commentators over the timing of her post, coming late in the election cycle after many votes had already been cast. By the end of the election night, it seems no one was entirely happy with the singer’s snap decision…
What does the outcome of the O’Rourke-Cruz race suggest about the current state of politics and the fight for progressive values in Texas and beyond?
In the world of politics, it is common for supporters to look for someone, something, or even some factor to blame when their preferred candidate fails at the ballot box. This tendency was on full display as some fans of popular singer Beyonce turned to social media to express their frustration and disappointment with the outcome of the closely contested U.S. Senate race in Texas between Beto O’Rourke and Ted Cruz.
The race for the Senate seat in Texas was closely watched by people across the country as O’Rourke, a charismatic and progressive lawmaker, sought to unseat Cruz, the incumbent Republican senator, in a state that has long been a conservative stronghold. O’Rourke’s campaign received widespread attention and support from Democratic activists and voters who were energized by his message and vision for the state.
However, despite the campaign’s energy and momentum, O’Rourke was unable to capture enough support to overcome Cruz’s narrow margin of victory. The final tally showed a difference of just over 200,000 votes, with Cruz winning 51% of the vote compared to O’Rourke’s 48%.
In the wake of the result, some fans of Beyonce took to social media to express their anger and disappointment, specifically pointing the finger at the superstar singer for not doing enough to help O’Rourke’s campaign. Beyonce, who is a native of Houston, Texas, had expressed her support for O’Rourke in the weeks leading up to the election, but some fans felt that she could have done more to mobilize her vast fan base to support the Democratic candidate.
Some fans pointed to Beyonce’s relative silence on social media in the days leading up to the election, while others suggested that her decision to perform at a private concert for a high-profile Indian billionaire at the same time as O’Rourke’s rally in Houston was a clear sign that she wasn’t fully committed to the campaign.
While it is natural for supporters to look for someone or something to blame when their candidate falls short, it is important to remember that elections are won and lost on the basis of many different factors. In a race as closely contested as the one in Texas, it is unlikely that any single factor, including the involvement of a world-famous celebrity like Beyonce, was ultimately decisive.
Instead of blaming Beyonce or any other individual, it is important to look at the broader trends and dynamics that shaped the election outcome, including the changing demographics of Texas, the role of money in politics, and the impact of voter suppression efforts in the state.
In the end, while some Beyonce fans may be disappointed with the outcome of the O’Rourke-Cruz race, it is important to remember that political change is a marathon, not a sprint. The fight for progressive values and policies will continue, with or without the support of superstar singers and other famous figures.
