Beto O'Rourke calls on Houstonians to help him win the White House

Democratic presidential hopeful Beto O'Rourke speaks to a crowd of supporters on the campus of Texas Southern University on Saturday, March 30, 2019, in Houston. The stop in Houston is part of a 3-city "official" campaign kickoff as he runs for president. less Democratic presidential hopeful Beto O'Rourke speaks to a crowd of supporters on the campus of Texas Southern University on Saturday, March 30, 2019, in Houston. The stop in Houston is part of a 3-city ... more Photo: Brett Coomer/Staff Photographer Photo: Brett Coomer/Staff Photographer Image 1 of / 23 Caption Close Beto O'Rourke calls on Houstonians to help him win the White House 1 / 23 Back to Gallery

Hundreds flocked to Texas Southern University Saturday afternoon to watch presidential candidate and former Senate candidate Beto O’Rourke speak at a campaign rally.

After touring states in the Midwest and North, and officially launching his campaign in his native El Paso Saturday morning, O’Rourke began speaking at 3100 Cleburn St. shortly after 6:30 p.m. - more than an hour and a half after the rally was scheduled to begin.

It was the first time O'Rourke visited Houston since kicking off his presidential run.

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As a cold front blew through the historically black university, O'Rourke wore a TSU hat and told those gathered that Houston was pivotal in his 2018 Senate campaign and will be key to his presidential race.

"It's going to be the people of Texas, it's going to be the people of Houston, Texas, who will help lead the way," O'Rourke said.

The 46-year-old candidate echoed comments he made at his kick-off event and in town halls across Iowa and Pennsylvania - lauding immigration, calling for action on climate change and chastising President Donald Trump.

He touched on universal medical care, raising teachers' salaries and ending the federal prohibition on marijuana. He said Houston had led the way on several initiatives he would like to see spread across the country, including working to eliminate cash bail and electing diverse officeholders.

If the rest of the country can follow the lead of Texas' largest city, O'Rourke said, his campaign will culminate in the White House.

"We're going to make sure that we meet every single one of our aspirations - not by half the measure and not by half the country," O'Rourke said. "At this very divided, very polarized, hyper-partisan moment, what this country needs if for us to come together."

This story will be updated during the rally. Check back for updates.