Inside sources close to Texas Congressman Beto O’Rourke say the prominent Democrat will not run for U.S. Senate next year against John Cornyn; sparking new speculation the lawmaker will announce his decision to take on President Trump in the coming days.
“Beto O’Rourke has decided not to run for U.S. Senate next year against Texas Republican incumbent John Cornyn and likely will announce a campaign for president soon,” reports the Dallas Morning News.
“Amy and I have made a decision about how we can best serve our country,” Beto told the newspaper. “We are excited to share it with everyone soon.”
“It seems like his star was fading,” said University of Iowa political scientist Tim Hagle. “I don’t know that O’Rourke has missed his opportunity, but he does need to get in the race.”
Read the full report at the Dallas News.
BETO BACKTRACKS: O’Rourke Not 'Ruling Out' 2020 Race Against Donald Trump
Failed Texas Senate hopeful Beto O’Rourke hinted at a potential run for the White House this week; publicly admitting he was not ruling out taking-on Donald Trump in 2020 despite previous denials.
O’Rourke was speaking at a Town Hall event in Texas when he was asked to comment on the Democratic nomination process poised to kick-off in just months.
“Running for Senate, I was 100 percent focused on our campaign, winning that race and then serving the next six years in the United States Senate,” said Beto. “Now that that is no longer possible, you know, we’re thinking through a number of things.”
The Texas congressman was then asked if his previous position from before his 2018 defeat to Sen. Ted Cruz had changed.
“Yeah, yeah it is,” said O’Rourke.
Read the full report at Politico.
BETO GOES BERSERK: O’Rourke Calls for the REMOVAL of El Paso Border Wall
Texas Rep. Beto O’Rourke called for the removal of El Paso’s critical border wall this week; saying the physical barrier “has not in any way” made the US “safer” and costs “tens of billions of dollars.”
Beto O'Rourke when asked, since Rep. @DanCrenshawTX asked on Twitter, if he would tear down the walls that are already in place: Yes and I think a referendum to do so would pass. pic.twitter.com/ENZuYvdqEa
— Julio Rosas (@Julio_Rosas11) February 15, 2019
“Would you -if you could- take the wall down now? Here?” asked MSNBC’s Chris Hayes.
“Yes, Absolutely. I’d take the wall down,” said Beto.
“Here’s what we know… After the Secure Fence Act we built 600 miles of wall and fencing on a 2,000 mile border. What that has done has not in any way made us safer. It cost us tens of billions of dollars to build and to maintain,” he added.