Greg Abbott DEFEATS Beto O'Rourke in Texas and Kristi Noem is victorious in South Dakota

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott defeated Democrat Beto O'Rourke in their gubernatorial race and South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem held onto her post in a slew of early results in gubernatorial elections. 

With 59 percent of precincts reporting, Abbott was up over 10 points over O'Rourke and a number of major news outlets called the race for the Republican who will now enter his third term leading the Lone Star State. 

It was O'Rourke's second time losing for statewide office after an unsuccessful bid to unseat Sen. Ted Cruz. 

Abbott, who's held the governor's mansion since 2015, generated presidential chatter in recent months after a series of headline-grabbing policy plays, including signing a unique abortion ban that allows private citizens to sue those who aid the procedure and bussing migrants from border cities to blue ones like New York and Washington, D.C. 

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott defeated Democrat Beto O'Rourke in their gubernatorial race

In Oklahoma, Republican Gov. Kevin Stitt held on to his seat, leading by 15 points over Democrat Joy Hofmeister with 94 percent precincts reporting

In Oklahoma, Republican Gov. Kevin Stitt held on to his seat, leading by 15 points over Democrat Joy Hofmeister with 94 percent precincts reporting. 

Maryland elected its first black governor in Democrat Wes Moore, who will take over from term-limited Republican Larry Hogan. President Biden campaigned for Moore in Bowie, Md. on election eve. 

So far 16 of the 36 seats up for reelection have been called. In Florida, Gov. Ron DeSantis is projected to win, and in Arkansas, ex-Trump White House press secretary Sarah Sanders is projected to win her first stint in the governor's mansion. 

In another closely watched race, Democrat Josh Shapiro won over Republican Doug Mastriano for the Pennsylvania governor's seat, according to cable news predictions. Gov. Brian Kemp in Georgia, is up against Democrat Stacey Abrams 9 points with three-quarters of the votes counted. 

Maryland elected its first black governor in Democrat Wes Moore, who will take over from term-limited Republican Larry Hogan. President Biden campaigned for Moore in Bowie, Md. on election eve

South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem successfully held onto her post