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Last spring, I went to Texas for Esquire to follow Democratic Senate candidate Beto O'Rourke during a three-day, 653-mile campaign swing through the panhandle. I was inspired, as so many came to be, by his honest, DIY, and incredibly human approach to campaigning. This was just before Beto became a prefix for “mania,” before he went viral, before he was a presence on late-night shows and on branded accessories across the country. His enthusiasm, charisma, and hard work seemed boundless as he sought to connect in a real way with an impossibly diverse group of 28 million Texans across every county in the state.

Ultimately, O'Rourke lost the race to the incumbent, Ted Cruz. As recent history goes, it was a long-shot candidacy and yet he fell short by only a couple percentage points. It is no coincidence that the spirit of Election Night, after the results rolled in, was relaxed, hopeful, and, at times, even exuberant because it reflected a candidate who felt this was only the beginning of a sea change in Texas politics and the very idea of political campaigns.

I returned to Texas for O'Rourke's final sprint to Election Day in his hometown of El Paso, embedded with David Modigliani and his crew, who have been capturing the behind-the-scenes story of Beto’s run for the past year for a forthcoming feature documentary.

Amid a national media crush, we were at his side to capture intimate moments between O'Rourke, his wife, Amy, and their kids, Ulysses, Molly, and Henry—moments that seem increasingly precious as he becomes a national phenomenon for the Democrats. As these photos show, this is the same guy who inspired so many people to buy (or design) t-shirts and put up yard signs in 2018.

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On the eve of Election Day, O'Rourke greets a hometown crowd in El Paso, where he held the final rally of the campaign. O'Rourke has represented the El Paso area in the House of Representatives since 2012.

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Amy O'Rourke watches her husband from the stage at his final rally at the University of Texas, El Paso.

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O'Rourke heads to the polls on Election Day before school with Molly and Ulysses.

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After the results were in, O'Rourke and his son, Ulysses, ride the elevator down to the field at Southwest University Park, home to the minor league El Paso Chihuahuas baseball team, where he gave his concession speech.

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On the field at Southwest University Park, Beto and Amy walk to the stage to address the crowd after the race was called.

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O'Rourke's concession speech to his fellow El Pasoans was a master class in conceding an election with grace and hope. "I'm so fucking proud of you guys," he said at one point to an enthralled crowd.

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After delivering an emotional and hope-filled message to the crowd, O'Rourke leaves the stage with Amy at his side.

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After speaking to the 6,000 supporters in attendance at Southwest University Park, O'Rourke thanked those backstage that made his DIY, grassroots campaign possible and cheered "Texas!" with his small team and loved ones.

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O'Rourke lifts his daughter, Molly, into the air on Election Night in the Chihuahuas' locker room after giving his concession speech.

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Molly hugs her dad.

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O'Rourke spends a few final moments in the locker room at Southwest University Park before heading home.

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Beto and Amy and their children head home on Election Night.

Charlie Gross is a Brooklyn-based photographer. Follow him on Instagram.