Beto O'Rourke facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Beto O'Rourke
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O'Rourke in 2024
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| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Texas's 16th district |
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| In office January 3, 2013 – January 3, 2019 |
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| Preceded by | Silvestre Reyes |
| Succeeded by | Veronica Escobar |
| Mayor pro tempore of El Paso | |
| In office June 14, 2005 – June 20, 2006 |
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| Mayor | John Cook |
| Preceded by | Anthony Cobos |
| Succeeded by | Presi Ortega |
| Member of the El Paso City Council from the 8th district |
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| In office June 1, 2005 – June 27, 2011 |
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| Preceded by | Anthony Cobos |
| Succeeded by | Cortney Niland |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Robert Francis O'Rourke
September 26, 1972 El Paso, Texas, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse |
Amy Sanders
(m. 2005) |
| Children | 3 |
| Parents | Pat O'Rourke Melissa Williams |
| Education | Columbia University (BA) |
| Signature |  |
Robert Francis "Beto" O'Rourke (born September 26, 1972) is an American politician. He served as a U.S. Representative for Texas from 2013 to 2019. He is a member of the Democratic Party.
O'Rourke was the Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate in Texas in 2018. He also ran for the presidential nomination in 2020. In 2022, he was the Democratic candidate for Governor of Texas.
Beto O'Rourke grew up in El Paso, Texas, where his family was involved in local politics. He went to Columbia University. Before becoming a politician, he played bass guitar in a band called Foss. After college, he returned to El Paso and started a business. In 2005, he was elected to the El Paso City Council, where he served until 2011.
In 2012, O'Rourke was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. He won re-election in 2014 and 2016. In 2018, he decided not to run for the House again. Instead, he ran for the U.S. Senate against Ted Cruz. His campaign gained national attention. Even though he lost, O'Rourke received the most votes ever for a Democrat in a Texas election.
In 2019, O'Rourke announced he would run for president. He stopped his campaign later that year. In 2022, he ran for Governor of Texas but was defeated by Greg Abbott.
Contents
- Early Life and Education
- Career Before Congress
- El Paso City Council (2005–2012)
- U.S. House of Representatives (2013–2019)
- 2018 U.S. Senate Campaign
- 2020 Presidential Campaign
- Recent Activities (2019–2021)
- 2022 Texas Gubernatorial Election
- Political Views
- Personal Life
- Electoral history
- Images for kids
- See also
Early Life and Education
Growing Up in El Paso
Robert Francis O'Rourke was born on September 26, 1972, in El Paso, Texas. His parents were Pat Francis O'Rourke and Melissa Martha O'Rourke. His family gave him the nickname "Beto" when he was a baby. This helped tell him apart from his grandfather, who had the same name.
Beto's father, Pat O'Rourke, was also involved in politics in El Paso. He served as a County Commissioner and County Judge. Beto sometimes went with his father to political events.
As a teenager, Beto discovered punk rock music. He enjoyed going to local punk shows. He felt that the punk scene helped him find a sense of community in El Paso.
School Years
O'Rourke went to elementary school in El Paso. He then attended El Paso High School for two years. In 1988, he moved to Woodberry Forest School, an all-boys boarding school in Virginia.
He later attended Columbia University in New York. While there, he was co-captain of the heavyweight rowing team. He graduated in 1995 with a degree in English literature. Beto O'Rourke can speak both English and Spanish fluently.
Career Before Congress
Music Career
O'Rourke had a short music career during his college years. He joined his first band, Swipe, in New York. Later, in 1991, he formed the band Foss with two friends from El Paso and a drummer named Cedric Bixler-Zavala. O'Rourke played the bass guitar.
Foss toured the United States and Canada. They released a demo and a record in 1993. O'Rourke also played drums in another band called Swedes. His experiences in the punk music scene influenced his later political ideas. For example, he decided not to accept money from political action committees (PACs) during his Senate campaign.
Starting a Business
After college, O'Rourke worked different jobs, including moving art. He then worked for an Internet company run by his uncle. In 1998, he moved back to El Paso.
In 2000, he co-founded Stanton Street Technology Group. This company provided Internet services and software. His wife, Amy, ran the business until 2017. The company also published an online newspaper for a few years.
O'Rourke was also involved in local groups in El Paso. He was a member of the Rotary Club and United Way. He served on the boards of the El Paso Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.
El Paso City Council (2005–2012)
In 2005, Beto O'Rourke decided to run for the El Paso City Council. His main goals were to help downtown El Paso grow and to improve border policies. He won the election, defeating the two-term incumbent.
O'Rourke was one of the youngest people to serve on the City Council. In 2007, he was re-elected for a second term. At his first meeting in 2005, he was chosen as mayor pro tem. This role means he represented the city when the mayor was busy. He held this position for one year.
O'Rourke supported a plan to redevelop a struggling area of downtown El Paso. This plan aimed to bring new life to the business district. He also sponsored a resolution in 2009 to examine the "War on Drugs."
U.S. House of Representatives (2013–2019)
Becoming a Congressman
In 2012, O'Rourke ran for the U.S. House of Representatives. He challenged the eight-term incumbent, Silvestre Reyes, in the Democratic primary. O'Rourke won the primary election by a small margin. He then won the general election with 65 percent of the vote.
As a Congressman, O'Rourke held at least one town hall meeting every month. In 2013, he worked with Republican Steve Pearce to introduce a bill. This bill aimed to improve how the U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency handled complaints and used force. It also sought to increase training for officers.
O'Rourke also helped pass a law that allowed the Border Protection agency to partner with local groups. This helped fund extra pay for customs officers, which reduced wait times at the border. El Paso was one of the first cities to try this program.
Re-election and Key Votes
O'Rourke was re-elected to the House in 2014 and 2016. In 2014, he donated some of his campaign money to other Democratic candidates.
In November 2014, O'Rourke disagreed with President Obama's policy that protected some undocumented immigrants from deportation. He said the goal was good, but the method was difficult.
O'Rourke took a trip to Israel with other members of Congress. He had previously voted against U.S. funding for Israel's Iron Dome missile defense system. He explained that he wanted more discussion before sending a large amount of money without debate. He believed that strong U.S. support for Israel had sometimes been harmful.
In 2016, O'Rourke supported Hillary Clinton for president. He also backed Tim Ryan for House leadership, saying he believed in term limits for leaders. O'Rourke himself had set a limit for how long he would serve in the House.
In 2017, O'Rourke sponsored a bill called the American Families United Act. This bill supported the right of U.S. citizens to help their spouses legally immigrate. O'Rourke left his House seat in 2018 to run for the U.S. Senate.
Committee Roles
While in the House, O'Rourke served on important committees:
- Committee on Armed Services
- Committee on Veterans' Affairs
He was also part of groups like the New Democrat Coalition and the Congressional Arts Caucus.
2018 U.S. Senate Campaign
In 2018, Beto O'Rourke decided to run for the U.S. Senate in Texas. He challenged the Republican incumbent, Ted Cruz. Many experts thought it would be very difficult for a Democrat to win in Texas.
O'Rourke officially announced his campaign on March 31, 2017. In March 2018, he became the Democratic nominee. He campaigned in all 254 counties in Texas. He said he wanted to run a positive campaign, focusing on his ideas rather than criticizing his opponents.
His campaign gained a lot of national attention. He drew large crowds and used social media extensively. O'Rourke ran his campaign without professional pollsters or consultants. He relied on volunteers, many of whom had no political campaign experience. He used mass text messages and filmed his first ad on an iPhone.
O'Rourke often talked about his past as a rock musician. This became a key part of his public image. He posted daily on social media, including Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. He would livestream his activities, like skateboarding or washing clothes. He encouraged supporters to share selfies with him. Some of his videos went viral, especially one about NFL players "taking a knee."
Campaign Funding
O'Rourke promised not to accept money from political action committees (PACs). He raised $2 million in his first three months, mostly from small donations. This claim was rated "true" by PolitiFact.
His campaign raised a record amount of money for a U.S. Senate race. He raised over $38 million in one quarter alone. Most of the donations came from individual people, mainly from Texas. In total, O'Rourke raised $80 million for his campaign.
Debates
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O'Rourke had three debates with Ted Cruz. In the first debate, they disagreed on topics like gun rights, immigration, and the "take a knee" protests. At the end, they were asked to say something nice about each other. O'Rourke praised Cruz's parenting. Cruz compared O'Rourke to Bernie Sanders, mentioning his "socialist beliefs."
Cruz decided not to attend the third debate. O'Rourke attended alone. During this event, O'Rourke said he did not see himself running for president because he had young children. He also said he regretted calling Ted Cruz "Lyin' Ted."
Support and Results
O'Rourke's Senate campaign was supported by major Texas newspapers. Famous people like Willie Nelson, Beyoncé, and LeBron James also endorsed him. Willie Nelson even held a rally for O'Rourke and debuted a new song called "Vote 'Em Out."
On November 6, 2018, Ted Cruz defeated O'Rourke. Cruz won with 50.9% of the vote, while O'Rourke received 48.3%. Despite losing, O'Rourke was credited with helping other Democratic candidates win elections in Texas. He received over four million votes, which was the highest number ever for a Democrat in Texas history.
2020 Presidential Campaign
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After his Senate campaign, many people thought O'Rourke might run for president in 2020. On March 14, 2019, O'Rourke announced he was entering the presidential race. He often talked about his 2018 Senate campaign loss as a key part of his story.
O'Rourke ended his presidential campaign on November 1, 2019. He later supported Joe Biden for president.
Recent Activities (2019–2021)
In December 2019, O'Rourke started a political group called "Powered by People." This group helps support political candidates. After his presidential campaign, O'Rourke campaigned for other Democratic candidates running for the Texas House of Representatives.
During a severe winter storm in Texas in February 2021, O'Rourke organized volunteers. They made phone calls to check on senior citizens and offer help. He said his volunteers made hundreds of thousands of calls in one day.
2022 Texas Gubernatorial Election
On November 15, 2021, O'Rourke announced he would run for Governor of Texas in 2022. He challenged the current Republican governor, Greg Abbott. In his announcement video, O'Rourke talked about the 2021 Texas power crisis.
On March 1, 2022, O'Rourke won the Democratic nomination for governor without serious competition. Polls showed him as the underdog against Governor Abbott. In the general election, O'Rourke was defeated by Abbott.
Political Views
Political experts describe O'Rourke as a progressive or liberal. During his time in Congress, he was part of the New Democrat Coalition, a group that supports business. He has also worked on bills with members of both parties.
Working Together
In 2018, O'Rourke received an award for civility in public life. He shared it with Will Hurd, a Republican from Texas. In 2017, when their flights were canceled, O'Rourke and Hurd rented a car and drove 1,600 miles back to Washington. They livestreamed their trip on Facebook. They have worked together on laws since then.
Business and Economy
O'Rourke believes in stronger laws to prevent monopolies. He thinks this helps competition and new ideas. He supports rules that help businesses grow and protect consumers. He also wants to connect unemployed people with good jobs by investing in training programs. Labor unions have given him high scores for his support.
Education
O'Rourke supports giving more federal money to public schools in low-income areas. He believes teachers should have more freedom in setting classroom standards. He wants less focus on "high-stakes tests."
During his 2020 presidential campaign, O'Rourke proposed a $500 billion education plan. This plan aimed to close funding gaps and ensure fair funding for public schools. It also sought to pay teachers professional wages.
For his 2022 gubernatorial campaign, O'Rourke supported increasing teacher salaries and public school funding. He opposed school vouchers, saying they take money away from public schools. He also argued that schools should get money based on how many students are enrolled, not just how many attend each day. O'Rourke said he would focus on reading, graduation, and college readiness, rather than cultural issues in education.
Environment
O'Rourke has supported efforts to protect the environment since he was young. He helped stop a copper smelter from reopening in El Paso.
He supports actions to fight global warming. He has suggested putting a price on carbon emissions and increasing the use of renewable energy. He has criticized actions that reduce environmental protections. O'Rourke has a high rating from the League of Conservation Voters for his environmental record.
Foreign Policy
O'Rourke has expressed views on international relations. He criticized Israel's actions in 2014 and voted against funding its missile defense system. He supports a two-state solution for Israel and Palestine. He has also criticized Saudi Arabia's human rights record.
He supported the Iran nuclear deal and criticized Trump's approach to North Korea. O'Rourke has called for ending U.S. involvement in the Iraq War and the War in Afghanistan. He also criticized U.S. involvement in the Syrian Civil War.
In 2018, O'Rourke said that President Trump's actions at a meeting with Russia's leader might warrant impeachment. He accused Trump of working with Russia to influence U.S. elections. O'Rourke also suggested that the U.S. should invest in Central American countries to help with migration issues.
Guns
In 2016, O'Rourke participated in a sit-in in the House of Representatives. This was to push for a vote on gun control laws. He supports universal background checks for all gun purchases.
After the 2019 El Paso shooting, O'Rourke called for a ban on assault rifles and high-capacity magazines. He also suggested a program for the government to buy back these weapons. In a debate, he famously said, "Hell yes, we're going to take your AR-15, your AK-47." He acknowledged that his view on assault weapons had changed.
In May 2022, O'Rourke confronted Governor Greg Abbott after the Robb Elementary School shooting. He criticized the governor for not taking action on gun control.
Immigration
O'Rourke supports comprehensive immigration reform. He believes his experience living on the border gives him a strong understanding of immigration. He has spoken against "militarizing" the border.
He opposed Trump's decision to end DACA, which protected some young undocumented immigrants. O'Rourke believes it is a "top priority" to protect these "DREAMers." In 2016, he gave a TEDx talk called "The Border Makes America Great" about his views on immigration.
O'Rourke has criticized President Trump's language about immigrants. In 2018, he led protests against the policy of separating immigrant children from their families at the border. He called this practice "Un-American."
Social Issues
O'Rourke supports marriage equality for same-sex couples. He believes it is a core civil rights issue. While on the El Paso City Council, he helped overturn a ban on domestic partnerships.
He has spoken out against racial inequality. He supports football players who have taken part in the "Take a knee" protests. O'Rourke believes there is "nothing more American than to peacefully stand up, or take a knee, for your rights." He has also said that he received second chances in his youth that are often "denied to too many of our fellow Texans."
Veterans
O'Rourke held monthly town hall meetings for veterans during his time in Congress. He heard about long wait times for mental health care. He worked to create a new program at the El Paso VA to better serve veterans.
He co-sponsored a bill called the Veterans' Mental Health Care Access Act. This bill expanded options for veterans seeking mental health care outside of VA facilities. O'Rourke served on the House Veterans' Affairs Committee and the House Armed Services Committee.
He also helped pass bills to improve veterans' medical records, survey their experiences with VA care, and recruit more doctors for the VA.
Personal Life
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Beto O'Rourke's father passed away in 2001 in a bicycle accident. O'Rourke gave the eulogy at his funeral. His sister, Erin, passed away in 2022, and his mother passed away in 2023.
O'Rourke married Amy Hoover Sanders on September 24, 2005. They have three children. They live in El Paso, Texas, in a historic house.
O'Rourke is a lifelong Catholic. However, he has publicly disagreed with some Church teachings, such as its stance on same-sex marriages.
Electoral history
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Beto O'Rourke | 101,403 | 65.42 | |
| Republican | Barbara Carrasco | 51,043 | 32.93 | |
| Libertarian | Junart Sodoy | 2,559 | 1.65 | |
| Total votes | 155,005 | 100.00 | ||
| Democratic hold | ||||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Beto O'Rourke (incumbent) | 49,338 | 67.49 | |
| Republican | Corey Roen | 21,324 | 29.17 | |
| Libertarian | Jaime Pérez | 2,443 | 3.34 | |
| Total votes | 73,105 | 100.00 | ||
| Democratic hold | ||||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Beto O'Rourke (incumbent) | 150,228 | 85.73 | |
| Libertarian | Jaime Pérez | 17,491 | 9.98 | |
| Green | Mary Gourdoux | 7,510 | 4.29 | |
| Total votes | 175,229 | 100.00 | ||
| Democratic hold | ||||
| United States Senate election in Texas, 2018 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
| Republican | Ted Cruz (incumbent) | 4,260,553 | 50.89% | -5.57% | |
| Democratic | Beto O'Rourke | 4,045,632 | 48.33% | +7.71% | |
| Libertarian | Neal Dikeman | 65,470 | 0.78% | -1.28% | |
| Total votes | 8,371,655 | 100% | N/A | ||
| Republican hold | |||||
| 2022 Texas gubernatorial election | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
| Republican | Greg Abbott (incumbent) | 4,437,099 | 54.76% | -1.05% | |
| Democratic | Beto O'Rourke | 3,553,656 | 43.86% | +1.35% | |
| Libertarian | Mark Tippetts | 81,932 | 1.01% | -0.68% | |
| Green | Delilah Barrios | 28,584 | 0.35% | N/A | |
| Total votes | 8,102,908 | 100.00% | N/A | ||
| Turnout | 8,102,908 | 45.85% | |||
| Registered electors | 17,672,143 | ||||
| Republican hold | |||||
Images for kids
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O'Rourke in 2024
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Beto O'Rourke's signature
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Final results by county in 2018
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Beto O'Rourke during a rally in Austin, Texas, November 2018
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O'Rourke's senatorial campaign in Austin, Texas, November 2018
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O'Rourke senatorial campaign logo
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O'Rourke presidential campaign logo
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O'Rourke at a presidential campaign event in April 2019
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Logo for "Powered by People", the political action committee O'Rourke launched in December 2019
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O'Rourke campaigning in Wichita Falls, Texas
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O'Rourke rally at Los Angeles Trade–Technical College
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O'Rourke at the Inter-American Dialogue conference in 2016
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O'Rourke with his wife and children, 2019
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See also
In Spanish: Beto O'Rourke para niños
- Electoral history of Beto O'Rourke
