As the US midterm elections edge closer, Democratic candidate Beto O’Rourke is ramping up his campaign to unseat Texas’ Republican senator Ted Cruz.

The 46-year-old congressman is considered a rising star in his party, and has been boosted by a surge of grassroots support since entering the race last March.

If the left-leaning politician manages to beat Mr Cruz next month in the traditionally conservative state, he would become Texas’ first Democratic senator since 1994.

The battle between the pair has attracted widespread attention because the Lone Star State is seen as one of the Democrats’ best chances to gain control of the US Senate. The Democrats must pick up two seats nationwide to win a Senate majority. This would allow the party to block Donald Trump’s agenda.

Who is Beto O’Rourke?

After beginning his career as a businessman Mr O’Rourke moved into politics in 2005. At 32 he was elected to the El Paso City Council. The Democrat joined the House of Representatives in 2012 after successfully running to represent Texas’ 16th congressional district, winning 65 per cent of the vote.

His campaign to unseat Mr Cruz has been largely funded by small donors and he raised over $38 million between July and September, the biggest quarterly haul of any Senate candidate in history.

National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK Show all 105 1 /105 National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK epaselect epa06885526 Tens of thousands of people take part in a Stop Trump Coalition - Stop the War Protest against the US President Donal J. Trump visit in London, Britain, 13 July 2018. Trump is on a working visit to Britain. 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PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Friday July 13, 2018. See PA story POLITICS Trump. Photo credit should read: Yui Mok/PA Wire Yui Mok PA National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK Donald Trump UK visit protests Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK Trafalgar Square is filled with protesters against the UK visit of US President Donald Trump holding up placards as they take part in a march and rally in London on July 13, 2018. Tens of thousands of protesters demonstrated in London on Friday against US President Donald Trump, whose four-day visit to Britain has been marred by his extraordinary attack on Prime Minister Theresa May's Brexit strategy. / AFP PHOTO / Tolga AKMENTOLGA AKMEN/AFP/Getty Images TOLGA AKMEN AFP/Getty Images National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK Donald Trump UK visit protests Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK Donald Trump UK visit protests Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK Donald Trump UK visit protests Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK Donald Trump UK protest Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn walks through a demonstration against President Trump's visit to the UK on his way to make a speech in Trafalgar Square Getty Images National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK 'Stop Trump' demonstrators march through London as part of the protests against the visit of US President Donald Trump to the UK. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Friday July 13, 2018. See PA story POLITICS Trump. Photo credit should read: Yui Mok/PA Wire Yui Mok PA National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK Donald Trump UK visit protests Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK Children were among thousands of people around the UK to protest against Donald Trump's visit Angela Christofilou National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK Donald Trump UK protest Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK Donald Trump UK visit protests Jessica Morgan Jessica Morgan National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK Donald Trump UK visit protests Jessica Morgan Jessica Morgan National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK Mandatory Credit: Photo by Steve Parkins/REX (9761011x) Orange trump protester 'Bring The Noise March' Anti Donald Trump Protest, London, UK - 13 Jul 2018 Steve Parkins/REX Rex Features National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK Donald Trump UK visit protests Jessica Morgan Jessica Morgan National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK Donald Trump UK visit protests Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK Donald Trump UK visit protests Jessica Morgan Jessica Morgan National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK Drag queens take part in the Drag Against Trump protest in Piccadilly Circus EPA National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK Donald Trump UK visit protests Jessica Morgan Jessica Morgan National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK Donald Trump UK visit protests Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK Donald Trump UK visit protests Jessica Morgan Jessica Morgan National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK Edward Miliband joins the march Angela Christofilou National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK Donald Trump UK visit protests Jessica Morgan Jessica Morgan National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK Donald Trump UK visit protests Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK Donald Trump UK visit protests Jessica Morgan Jessica Morgan National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK Donald Trump UK visit protests Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK Donald Trump UK visit protests Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK Donald Trump UK visit protests Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK Donald Trump UK visit protests Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK Donald Trump UK visit protests Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK Donald Trump UK visit protests Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK Charlotte Hodges National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK Charlotte Hodges National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK Donald Trump UK visit protests Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK epa06885659 A drag queen shouts anti-Trump chants and holds a placard 'Take me to A Trump free Planet!' at the Drag Against Trump protest in Piccadilly Circus in London, Britain, 13 July 2018. Participants joined other separate demonstrations in the capital city as thousands congregated together in protest against US President Trump visit and some of his controversial policies. Trump is on a working visit to Britain. EPA/RICK FINDLER RICK FINDLER EPA National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK Donald Trump UK visit protests Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK Donald Trump UK visit protests Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK Donald Trump UK visit protests Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK Donald Trump UK visit protests Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK Donald Trump UK visit protests Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK Donald Trump UK visit protest Will Gore Will Gore National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK Donald Trump UK visit protests Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK Donald Trump UK visit protest Will Gore Will Gore National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK A drag queen joins protesters against the UK visit of US President Donald Trump AFP/Getty Images National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK Donald Trump UK visit protest Will Gore Will Gore National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK Donald Trump UK visit protest Will Gore Will Gore National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK Donald Trump UK visit protest Will Gore Will Gore National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK Donald Trump UK visit protest Will Gore Will Gore National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK Donald Trump UK visit protest Will Gore Will Gore National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK Donald Trump UK visit protests Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK Protesters for the 'Stop Trump' AP National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK Donald Trump UK visit protests Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK Donald Trump UK visit protests Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK Donald Trump UK visit protests Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK A drag queen joins protesters against the UK visit of US President Donald Trump as they gather to take part in a march and rally in London on July 13, 2018. US President Donald Trump launched an extraordinary attack on Prime Minister Theresa May's Brexit strategy, plunging the transatlantic "special relationship" to a new low as they prepared to meet Friday on the second day of his tumultuous trip to Britain. / AFP PHOTO / Niklas HALLENNIKLAS HALLEN/AFP/Getty Images NIKLAS HALLEN AFP/Getty Images National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK Donald Trump UK visit protests Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK Donald Trump UK visit protests Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK Donald Trump UK visit protests Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK A drag queen joins protesters against the UK visit of US President Donald Trump as they gather to take part in a march and rally in London on July 13, 2018. US President Donald Trump launched an extraordinary attack on Prime Minister Theresa May's Brexit strategy, plunging the transatlantic "special relationship" to a new low as they prepared to meet Friday on the second day of his tumultuous trip to Britain. / AFP PHOTO / Niklas HALLENNIKLAS HALLEN/AFP/Getty Images NIKLAS HALLEN AFP/Getty Images National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK Demonstrators protest against the visit of U.S. President Donald Trump, in central London, Britain, July 13, 2018. REUTERS/Simon Dawson SIMON DAWSON REUTERS National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK Donald Trump UK visit protests Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK 'Stop Trump' demonstrators march through Oxford Circus in London, as part of the protests against the visit of US President Donald Trump to the UK. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Friday July 13, 2018. See PA story POLITICS Trump. Photo credit should read: Gareth Fuller/PA Wire Gareth Fuller PA National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK Donald Trump UK visit protests Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK Donald Trump UK visit protests Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK Protesters during the 'Stop Trump' Women's March in London, as part of protests against the visit of US President Donald Trump to the UK. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Friday July 13, 2018. See PA story POLITICS Trump. Photo credit should read: Yui Mok/PA Wire Yui Mok PA National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK Donald Trump UK visit protests Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK Donald Trump UK visit protests Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK Donald Trump UK visit protests Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK Donald Trump UK visit protests Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK Donald Trump UK visit protests Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK Donald Trump UK visit protests Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK Donald Trump UK visit protests Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK Donald Trump UK visit protests Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK Donald Trump UK visit protests Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK Donald Trump UK visit protests Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK Donald Trump UK protest Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK Donald Trump UK visit protests Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK Donald Trump UK visit protests Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK Donald Trump UK visit protests Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK Donald Trump UK visit protests Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK Donald Trump UK visit protests Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK Donald Trump protest in London Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK Donald Trump protest in London Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK Donald Trump protest in London Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK Donald Trump protest in London Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK Donald Trump protest in London Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK Donald Trump protest in London Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK Donald Trump protest in London Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK Donald Trump protest in London Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK Donald Trump protest in London Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK Donald Trump protest in London Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK Donald Trump protest in London Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou National Stop Trump protest: march against US President's visit to UK Donald Trump protest in London Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou

He is a firm supporter of universal healthcare, has called for new gun-control laws and believes marijuana should be legalised.

Will Beto O’Rourke beat Ted Cruz?

Despite his grassroots support, the Democratic hopeful is flagging behind the former Republican presidential candidate in recent opinion polls. A CNN poll of 716 likely Texas voters, conducted by SSRS last week, put Mr Cruz on 52 per cent with Mr O’Rourke on 45 per cent.

Mr Cruz has made gains by repeatedly highlighting his rival’s liberal stances on key issues which he believes are out of step with Texan voters.

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During a televised debate earlier this week, Mr Cruz said: “Every time there is a choice between left-wing national activists and the people of Texas, he goes with left-wing national activists.”

Mr O’Rourke hit back by accusing Mr Cruz for his unwillingness to stand up to Donald Trump on a number of issues. He claimed the senator had failed to stop the president from pushing trade tariffs that would hurt Texas farmers and businesses.

What has Donald Trump said about Beto O’Rourke?

The US president is due to appear at a campaign rally in Houston next Monday in support of Mr Cruz and other Texas Republicans.

After this week’s debate, Mr Trump praised Mr Cruz for securing cuts in taxes and regulations and protecting gun rights.