Beto O'Rourke

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Houston Chronicle: ​Beto O’Rourke championed bipartisanship in Congress—It wouldn’t be that easy as governor Beating Gov. Greg Abbott would be only the beginning of Beto O’Rourke’s challenges. In a state where Republicans will likely maintain control of the Legislature and all, or a majority, of statewide offices, the proud Democrat would face an avalanche of resistance from across the aisle while trying to deliver on campaign promises. 10.16.22

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The Week: ​The biggest 2022 gubernatorial races
​Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) was initially favored to prevail against challenger Beto O'Rourke … and it seems he still is. Though his advantage has narrowed since the beginning of the year (per reporting from FiveThirtyEight), a Quinnipiac University poll released Sept. 28 estimates Abbott with a 7-point lead over his Democratic opponent. Intraparty support for each candidate is strong: 96 percent of Republicans back Abbott, and 96 percent of Democrats want O'Rourke. Among independents, however, "53 percent support Abbott, while 46 percent support O'Rourke." Further, almost all likely voters surveyed said they've made up their minds as to how they'll vote. "The race for the top job in Austin leans toward Abbott, who has very strong support from white Texans, particularly white men, while O'Rourke has overwhelming appeal among Black voters and strong support among young voters," explained Quinnipiac Polling Analyst Tim Malloy.10.3.22

New York Times: ​The Uncomfortable Truths That Could Yet Defeat Fascism
Once again, the exceptions prove the rule. Why did the Texas Democratic gubernatorial candidate, Beto O’Rourke, go viral when he confronted the Republican governor, Greg Abbott, during a news conference or called a voter an incest epithet?  10.17.22

July 3, 2022: NBC News: ​Beto O'Rourke raises Democrats' hopes again in Texas
The one-time presidential candidate, aiming to become Texas' first Democratic governor in more than three decades, has cut Republican incumbent Greg Abbott's polling lead in half. He is coming off a historic fundraising period. By his campaign's count, O'Rourke has already signed up 79,000 volunteers to make phone calls and knock on doors before Election Day.

March 5, 2019: ​Texas Tribune: Beto O’Rourke acknowledges involvement with hacking group as a teen, expresses regret for writings
O’Rourke called the writings he produced while part of the group "really hateful, really bad stuff" and said he was "mortified to read it now."

June 5, 2019: Politico: ​How Beto O’Rourke would address term limits for lawmakers, money in politics
Beto O’Rourke on Wednesday called for a constitutional amendment imposing term limits on members of Congress and limiting the service of Supreme Court justices to a single 18-year term, part of a sweeping series of electoral and government reforms the Texas Democrat pledged to pursue if he is elected president.

​September 26, 1972: Beto O'Rourke was born at the Hotel Dieu Hospital in El Paso, Texas. May 19, 1995: O'Rourke and his friends jumped over a fence at the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) physical plant, and were arrested by the UTEP police. Sept 27, `1998: O'Rourke was arrested for driving while intoxicated at 3:00 a.m. on Interstate 10 in Anthony, Texas. O'Rourke had lost control of his car and hit another vehicle. July 3, 2001: O'Rourke's father, a longtime cycling enthusiast, died while riding his bicycle along the shoulder of Pete Domenici Highway, just outside the city limits of El Paso and across the New Mexico state line, when he was struck from behind by a 1999 Pontiac Grand Am. June 14, 2005: at his first city council meeting, O'Rourke was chosen as mayor pro tem by unanimous vote September 24, 2005: O'Rourke married Amy Hoover Sanders, the daughter of Louann and Bill Sanders, at her parents' ranch in Lamy, New Mexico, near Santa Fe. May 29, 2012: O'Rourke won the 2012 election for the U.S. House, representing Texas' 16th District. He defeated incumbent Silvestre Reyes and challengers Jerome Tilghman, Ben Mendoza, and Paul Johnson, Jr. in the Democratic primary. January 3, 2013: O'Rourke brgins his first term as U.S. House of Representative. June 22, 2016: O'Rourke participated in the sit-in in the House of Representatives that attempted to force a vote on gun control legislation November 8, 2016: Incumbent Beto O'Rourke (D) defeated Jaime Perez (L) and Mary Gourdoux (G) in the general election. March 31, 2017: O'Rourke formally announced his candidacy for the United States Senate seat held by incumbent Republican Ted Cruz March 7, 2018: O'Rourke told Alisyn Camerota of CNN: "We have a great tradition and culture of gun ownership and gun safety for hunting, for sport, for self-defense... I think that can allow Texas to take the lead on a really tough issue, which the country is waiting for leadership and action on." September 18, 2018: a Quinnipiac poll based on phone interviews put Cruz nine points ahead of O'Rourke among likely voters September 19, 2018: Ipsos online poll done in conjunction with Reuters and the University of Virginia showed O'Rourke leading Cruz by two points. Sept 21, 2018: The first of three scheduled debates between O'Rourke and Ted Cruz took place. November 6, 2018: Ted Cruz defeated O'Rourke March 23, 2019: O'Rourke accused President Trump of collusion with Russia to "undermine and influence" U.S. elections. September 2, 2019: O'Rourke tweeted: "I was asked how I'd address people's fears that we will take away their assault rifles. I want to be clear: That's exactly what we're going to do. Americans who own AR-15s and AK-47s will have to sell their assault weapons [to the government]. All of them." September 19, 2019:In the Democratic presidential debate, O'Rourke again called for a mandatory buy back of assault weapons; he said: "Hell yes, we're going to take your AR-15, your AK-47". Oct 16, 2019: During a live televised interview on MSNBC cable news-show host Joe Scarborough asked O'Rourke how he, as president, would respond to non-compliance from those gun owners who regard such a mandatory program as "an unjust law and unconstitutional." O'Rourke replied: "There have to be consequences, or else there is no respect for the law… In that case, I think there would be a visit by law enforcement to recover [sic] that firearm and to make sure that it is purchased. March 14, 2019: O'Rourke announced his candidacy in the 2020 United States presidential election. November 1, 2019: O'Rourke suspended his campaign for president due to a lack of traction and financial issue March 2, 2020: O'Rourke endorsed Joe Biden at a rally in Dallas, Texas one day before Super Tuesday. November 15, 2021: O'Rourke announced his bid for Governor of Texas in the 2022 gubernatorial election. March 1, 2022: O'Rourke won the Democratic nomination for the gubernatorial election May 25, 2022: O'Rourke confronted Texas Governor Greg Abbott during a press conference about the Robb Elementary School shooting that had occurred the day before.He said to the governor, "You are doing nothing. You are offering up nothing. You said this was not predictable. This was totally predictable when you choose not to do anything."