When Beta ran against Cruz, he was a pretty new guy to state/national politics (not local) who many didn't really know, so he was able to ride the media's BJ to higher numbers than he deserved. Also, the simpletons voted straight party, which isn't an option any longer.
Now, he's been exposed for what he is and the mystique is gone. He's a known trash commodity going against an incumbent governor, who isn't the best, but has steered the state pretty well and knows the Texas political machine. Rumor is that Abbott has paid a Goodyear plant to run only wheelchair tires for the next week so he has enough to get through the burnout he's going to do on Fake Mexican's goofy looking face on election night. It's going to get messy. Beta may want to ask for a mercy rule.