Sources: People close to former congressman reach out to key Granite Staters ahead of possible presidential announcement

As Beto O’Rourke continues to hold off on an announcement about his political plans, people working closely with him have begun making inquiries in New Hampshire about matters that would be central to a mounting a presidential campaign in the leadoff primary state.Key Democratic sources -- who are not involved in any effort to draft O’Rourke -- told WMUR that people close to O’Rourke have reached out to politically knowledgeable Granite Staters seeking advice on specifics concerning what a New Hampshire campaign would entail.The sources said the inquiries have touched on the names of strategists and political operatives who may be available for advisory and staff posts should O’Rourke move forward.These inquiries have been made only in the past several days and are the first sign of any contact by O’Rourke’s team with Granite Staters.O’Rourke has been courted to run by at least two draft organization since he came within 3 percentage points of upsetting Republican Sen. Ted Cruz in November. One draft organization, Draft Beto 2020, held events in New Hampshire in January.O’Rourke told the Dallas Morning News last week that he has decided not to challenge U.S. Sen. John Cornyn’s re-election bid and that he and his wife “have made a decision about how we can best serve our country. We are excited to share it with everyone soon.”While he has not yet made an announcement, he has also reportedly inquired about the hiring of a national campaign manager, according to CNBC.

As Beto O’Rourke continues to hold off on an announcement about his political plans, people working closely with him have begun making inquiries in New Hampshire about matters that would be central to a mounting a presidential campaign in the leadoff primary state.

Key Democratic sources -- who are not involved in any effort to draft O’Rourke -- told WMUR that people close to O’Rourke have reached out to politically knowledgeable Granite Staters seeking advice on specifics concerning what a New Hampshire campaign would entail.

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The sources said the inquiries have touched on the names of strategists and political operatives who may be available for advisory and staff posts should O’Rourke move forward.

These inquiries have been made only in the past several days and are the first sign of any contact by O’Rourke’s team with Granite Staters.

O’Rourke has been courted to run by at least two draft organization since he came within 3 percentage points of upsetting Republican Sen. Ted Cruz in November. One draft organization, Draft Beto 2020, held events in New Hampshire in January.

O’Rourke told the Dallas Morning News last week that he has decided not to challenge U.S. Sen. John Cornyn’s re-election bid and that he and his wife “have made a decision about how we can best serve our country. We are excited to share it with everyone soon.”

While he has not yet made an announcement, he has also reportedly inquired about the hiring of a national campaign manager, according to CNBC.