Governor Greg Abbott describes Beto O'Rourke as 'cult like'

PHOTOS: On the issues Texas Gov. Greg Abbott smiles before a gubernatorial debate against his Democratic challenger Lupe Valdez at the LBJ Library in Austin, Texas, on Friday, Sept. 28. >>See where Ted Cruz and Beto O'Rourke stand on key issues... less PHOTOS: On the issues Texas Gov. Greg Abbott smiles before a gubernatorial debate against his Democratic challenger Lupe Valdez at the LBJ Library in Austin, Texas, on Friday, Sept. 28. >>See where Ted ... more Photo: Nick Wagner, AMERICAN-STATESMAN Photo: Nick Wagner, AMERICAN-STATESMAN Image 1 of / 12 Caption Close Governor Greg Abbott describes Beto O'Rourke as 'cult like' 1 / 12 Back to Gallery

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott is not running for re-election against Democrat Beto O'Rourke, but during an early morning interview on national television, it was clear the El Paso Democrat is on Abbott's mind.

For more than half of the 5-minute interview on Fox & Friends, Abbott talked about O'Rourke almost exclusively, never mentioning U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz -- the Republican O'Rourke is challenging in his campaign -- or Democrat Lupe Valdez, the Democrat running against Abbott this year.

"Listen, he's been a cult-like, very popular figure the way that he's run the campaign," Abbott said of O'Rourke.

Abbott said as people learn more about O'Rourke's positions on issues "Beto O'Rourke is going to sink." Abbott compared O'Rourke to Wendy Davis, the 2014 Democratic nominee for governor whom Abbott beat handily.

Abbott said O'Rourke wants higher taxes and open borders -- two claims about O'Rourke's platform that O'Rourke has said are not true.

Abbott, however, refused to get into questions about O'Rourke having a drunken driving arrest form 20 years ago. Asked if the arrest would affect the race, Abbott said no.

"In the end, I don't think that's going to matter all that much," Abbott said.

Abbott was on Fox & Friends to promote his own new TV ad supporting his re-election.

Check out the full interview here: https://video.foxnews.com/v/5842800611001/?#sp=show-clips

Watch the latest video at foxnews.com

Jeremy.wallace@chron.com