Beto O'Rourke's sensational campaign for Senate has made Texas a battleground state and hastened the Democratic Party's emergence from the political wilderness.

Yes, he lost.

But with his close finish against Republican incumbent Ted Cruz, O'Rourke proved that a dynamic, well-funded Democrat with a compelling message can compete for a statewide office. A Democrat hasn't won statewide since 1994, and the last close race was the 1998 battle for lieutenant governor won by Republican Rick Perry over Democrat John Sharp.

O'Rourke gave Democrats water and nearly erased the bitter memories of their long drought. Now the question for Democrats: Is O'Rourke a prophet or their eventual savior?

The El Paso congressman's performance is also a victory for the politics of hope and aspiration. As Cruz kept pounding him as a socialist in favor of open borders and socialized medicine, O'Rourke said Texans could come together to lead the nation in solving its lingering problems.

Fox News announces U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, as the winner over challenger Rep. Beto O'Rourke, D-Texas, during the Dallas County Republican Party election night watch party on Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018 at The Statler Hotel in Dallas. (AP Photo/Jeffrey McWhorter)

When Trump warned that the migrant caravan slowly heading toward the southern border was an invasion, O'Rourke called for compassion, saying that America is a country of immigrants.

And O'Rourke didn't tout his own considerable

but instead gave credit to the Texans who powered his movement.

He proved that positive campaigning, when done right, is the perfect medicine for a

made ill by voter apathy. The turnout for the midterm set a record, but he wasn't able to overcome the structural advantages Republicans have in the electorate.

Other big-name Democrats asked to run for statewide office didn't believe that the party could win a statewide race. O'Rourke ignored the skeptics and the pundits. And many of the Democrats on the ballot with him achieved some level of success, especially down-ballot.

Texas still leans Republican, but O'Rourke has us asking for how long?