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El Pasoans have largely expressed excitement about having their former congressman announcing he’s entering the already-crowded field for the White House in 2020 - though some have questions about his record and his long odds to secure the Democratic nomination.

Among local leaders in El Paso, county commissioner David Stout told The Guardian on Thursday that he’d been waiting for O’Rourke to announce a run for president from the moment of his narrow loss for Ted Cruz’s US Senate seat in the November midterm elections. Stout highlighted O’Rourke’s well-known charisma and ability to connect with ordinary people as his most important qualities.

“It’s amazing for someone we all know from our community to have this opportunity and I’m glad he and his wife made this decision,” he said.

He noted that O’Rourke’s hailing from El Paso will be important as the US-Mexico border continues to be a focal point in the immigration debate.

“It’s going to be very beneficial to have someone telling the truth about our community to a national audience,” Stout said. “It’s important to share the fact that the border is a safe and amazing community and debunk all the false narratives.”

Though the city overwhelmingly supported O’Rourke by a three to one margin over Cruz last November, not all his supporters were thrilled by Thursday’s news.

Chatting with El Pasoans downtown on Thursday, Carlos Medina, who voted for O’Rourke in the midterm elections, told the Guardian he had some serious questions.

“I’m a huge supporter of Beto and I’m glad that his campaign will bring national attention to the city. I thought he was the right man for the Senate, but as president, I’m not so sure, there are a lot of good candidates he’ll have to go up against,” Medina said.

The fact that O’Rourke wasn’t able to upset Cruz in the midterm election was a major talking point for locals who don’t automatically support him, such as Christian Madrid.

Madrid, who considers himself an independent, said he felt, beyond personality, that O’Rourke lacks a strong message.

“He is not the type of candidate I like. The fact that we couldn’t win in his own state should be a big concern for him. I don’t think he’ll be able to convince enough people from other parts of the country to support him,” Madrid said.

Amid all the Beto-buzz, such early doubts could spark trouble for the rising star.