AUSTIN, Texas — Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said Democratic gubernatorial candidate Beto O’Rourke is running a “flailing” campaign, as evidenced by the challenger’s claims that Abbott is a “thug” and “authoritarian.”

Abbott, who spoke with the Washington Examiner at his office inside the Texas Capitol Monday, described O’Rourke’s jabs as an attempt to distract voters from his poor track record, about-faces on issues like gun rights and the exportation of liquefied natural gas, and poor polling numbers.