AUSTIN, Texas -- Republican Greg Abbott has been elected Texas governor in a decisive victory over Democrat Wendy Davis, whose national star power outshined her flickering candidacy.
As state attorney general, Abbott has stridently defended tough conservative Texas laws over voter ID and abortion.
He is the first new Texas governor in 14 years. Gov. Rick Perry, the longest-serving governor in state history, declined to seek a fourth full term while mulling another White House run in 2016.
Abbott called his win a testament to a state where "a young man's life can literally be broken in half" and still recover - a reference to the accident that paralyzed him from the waist down. He said he would work to make government "the servant of the people - not the other way around."
Speaking at Abbott's victory party in Austin, Perry called the latest Republican sweep of statewide offices a "little bittersweet." He touted his own accomplishments and said governors of other states were jealous of Texas.
Raising his voice, Perry called out that under Abbott, "things are going to get even better."
Davis never gave Abbott a close race despite record-breaking fundraising and supporters nationwide. She was the most high-profile Texas Democrat to run in decades after winning fame with her nearly 13-hour filibuster over new Texas abortion restrictions last year. Still, it was not enough to even bring a close race.
A teary-eyed Wendy Davis has told her supporters that it's OK to be disappointed, but not discouraged, by her loss in the governor's race.
"The genius and beauty of our democracy is that ultimately the power rests with the people even when they don't go our way. Tonight the people of Texas have spoken," Davis said during her concession speech. "I wish him the very best because it is in our best interest that he has a productive campaign. While he and I disagree on many issues, I know he loves Texas."
Speaking in Fort Worth, Davis called on Democrats to keep fighting for their values and candidates. She thanked her supporters for never backing down.
The Associated Press contributed to this report