It appears increasingly likely that the 2020 Democratic primary field will be the most wide open in recent memory, and perhaps in the history of American politics.

The Daily Beast spoke with opposition researchers and operatives in both parties to get a sense of what could prove helpful and harmful for candidates. These are the individuals whose job it is to understand and exploit the vulnerabilities of those running for office. All of them cautioned that their perspectives were not the same as predictions. But they still had insights to share, which The Daily Beast will be presenting in a multi-part series. Today, we look at Rep. Beto O’Rourke (D-TX), who ran one of the most closely watched Senate campaigns in recent history—a nearly successful attempt to topple Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) that helped him build a rabid fan base and prompted tons of presidential chatter.

Beto O’Rourke