Beto O'Rourke

Beto O'Rourke is a politician, author, and civic leader known for his role in Texas politics and advocacy for progressive policies. O'Rourke served as the U.S. Representative for Texas's 16th Congressional District, following his tenure on the El Paso City Council, where he also served as mayor pro tempore. He earned a bachelor's degree in English from Columbia University and has emphasized community engagement throughout his public service career. As a congressman, O'Rourke prioritized accessibility by holding regular town hall meetings and focused on issues such as veterans affairs.

O'Rourke gained national attention during his Senate campaign against incumbent Republican Ted Cruz, where his use of streaming videos and visits to all 254 Texas counties contributed to a record-breaking fundraising effort and voter turnout for a Democratic candidate in Texas. His campaign was noted for energizing down-ballot races and was compared by media outlets to Barack Obama's presidential campaign in terms of style and national impact.

After his Senate campaign, O'Rourke entered the race for the Democratic presidential nomination, where he advocated for gun control measures, including mandatory buybacks of assault rifles and bans on assault rifle sales. He later ran as the Democratic nominee in the Texas gubernatorial election, continuing to focus on issues such as voting rights, democracy, and civic engagement.

O'Rourke is the author of "We've Got to Try: How the Fight for Voting Rights Makes Everything Else Possible," in which he explores the connection between voting rights and broader democratic issues, drawing on his experiences campaigning across Texas. He has taught courses on voting rights and Texas politics at the LBJ School of Public Affairs and Texas State University.

O'Rourke leads Powered by People, a Texas-based organization dedicated to expanding democracy through voter registration and direct voter engagement. His career encompasses local government, Congress, statewide campaigns, authorship, and civic organizing, positioning him as a prominent voice on American democracy, political engagement, and progressive politics.