Beto O'Rourke criticizes 'perverse corruption' of fundraising for Congress

Congressman Beto O'Rourke (D-El Paso) conducts a town hall meeting Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2018 at the Ella Austin Community Center on San Antonio's east side. O'Rourke is seeking the Democratic primary nomination to run against current U.S. Senator Ted Cruz. Early voting starts Feb. 20 with primary day March 6. less Congressman Beto O'Rourke (D-El Paso) conducts a town hall meeting Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2018 at the Ella Austin Community Center on San Antonio's east side. O'Rourke is seeking the Democratic primary nomination to ... more Photo: William Luther, San Antonio Express-News Photo: William Luther, San Antonio Express-News Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close Beto O'Rourke criticizes 'perverse corruption' of fundraising for Congress 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

AUSTIN – U.S. Senate hopeful Beto O'Rourke railed Saturday against what he described as a "transactional," money-driven culture that keeps incumbents in Congress, criticizing his own party for prioritizing fundraising over people and policies.

O'Rourke, an El Paso congressman and underdog candidate to unseat Republican U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz in the November election, detailed to several hundred people at a South By Southwest panel that political parties expect lawmakers to make inroads with interest groups, ask them for money and later favor their legislation.

"Most of the people I work with are decent human beings ... but they've been compromised by this system and that's why this place fundamentally does not work," he said at the panel titled, "Can Small-Donor Progressives Win Local Elections?"

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O'Rourke, who has earned national attention for refusing to take money from political action committees, called fundraising demands of both parties "screwed up" and "pernicious." This type of fundraising takes away time lawmakers could spend gaining expertise needed to set policy, he said.

O'Rourke is waging an underdog campaign that leans heavily on small donors. So far in 2018, he has collected some $2.2 million, outpacing Cruz who has raised about $700,000. Cruz has more overall cash on hand, with $6 million in his political war chest. O'Rourke has $5 million, according to campaign finance reports.

Andrea Zelinski covers politics for the Houston Chronicle. Follow her on Twitter and Facebook. Send her tips at andrea.zelinski@chron.com.