Beto O'Rourke teases presidential speculation

Beto O'Rourke and his wife, Amy, now know what they want to do, but aren't saying yet. >>>See which Democrats have thrown their hat into the ring in the photos that follow... Beto O'Rourke and his wife, Amy, now know what they want to do, but aren't saying yet. >>>See which Democrats have thrown their hat into the ring in the photos that follow... Photo: Kathy Willens, STF / Associated Press Photo: Kathy Willens, STF / Associated Press Image 1 of / 45 Caption Close Beto O'Rourke teases presidential speculation 1 / 45 Back to Gallery

WASHINGTON – Beto O'Rourke has made a decision.

The former El Paso congressman set off a feeding frenzy of speculation about his future Wednesday with a statement saying he's decided how he can "best serve our country." But he didn't say how.

Close associates have been saying for months that he is considering a 2020 White House run, though a number of Texas Democrats would like to see him take on GOP Sen. John Cornyn.

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O'Rourke, in a cryptic statement first published by the Dallas Morning News, did nothing to settle the question. The same statement, sent later to the Hearst Newspapers, CNN and others, said only that O'Rourke and his wife Amy now know what they want to do, but aren't saying yet.

"Amy and I have made a decision about how we can best serve our country," he said. "We are excited to share it with everyone soon."

O'Rourke, who came within an armadillo hair of upsetting conservative icon Ted Cruz in the 2018 Senate race, has been riding on a wave of national publicity ever since.

Several Texas Democrats close to O'Rourke have said in recent weeks that he is no longer considering a challenge to Cornyn, who is seeking a fourth term in 2020. That would leave the state Democratic field wide open. Another top Lone Star State Democrat, former San Antonio mayor and HUD Secretary Julian Castro, has already opted for a presidential run, a decision that will likely occupy his twin brother, U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro, as well.

O'Rourke, a 46-year-old father of three, has said he would make a decision about a presidential run by the end of February. But he hasn't said when he will announce, and a press aide did not respond to an inquiry Wednesday about the timing.

Thursday is the last day of February.

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