O’Rourke hails from El Paso, a tiny, liberal speck in the conservative vastness of Texas. Neighboring Ciudad Juárez, Mexico, El Paso sits on the convergence of New Mexico, Texas, and México, and has a massive Hispanic population, making it a natural Democratic stronghold. From 2005 until 2011, O’Rourke served as a member of its city council, where, as one of its youngest members, he dedicated himself to addressing and solving the city drug crisis. In 2010, as city councilman, the Columbia-grad led a campaign to end the “militaristic” inclinations of the War on Drugs. He focused his attention on the devastating effects of American drug policy on border communities like El Paso. The city council passed a resolution “condemn[ing] all unlawful acts of malicious violence, persecution, intimidation, terrorization, and harassment” in both El Paso and Ciudad Juárez. The resolution went on to plead for “solidarity” with El Paso’s sister city as a part of a greater “bi-national community.” Its final clauses, however, call upon the governments of both the United States and Mexico to bring a stop to the destruction caused by antiquated and oppressive policies.

The border between Ciudad Juárez, México (left) and El Paso, United States (right) is often frequented by drug traffickers and violence. Yet, most crimes disproportionately affect those living on the Mexican side of the border or in poorer Latino communities on the American side, one of many issues O’Rourke had hoped to address (via Flickr)

The mayor of El Paso vetoed the bill. Immediately following, the city council threatened to respond with an override. As rhetoric escalated first in El Paso, then in Austin, tensions reached Washington, and O’Rourke’s efforts sparked a national debate. This culminated in an international summit between US President Barack Obama and President Felipe Calderon of México, which aimed to reexamine and resolve the issues of violence and the abusive culture surrounding the American War on Drugs. Even as a city councilman, O'Rourke's exhibited a passion and drive had national, and ultimately international, implications.

His actions as a city council member set the stage for his election to the US House in 2012. Just as he is attempting to do now, Beto O’Rourke unseated a respected and powerful incumbent. Despite his competition’s endorsement by not one, but two Presidents (Barack Obama and Bill Clinton), O’Rourke defeated eight-term congressman Silvestre Reyes in the Democratic primary. From there, he went on to sweep the general election to represent Texas’ 16th Congressional District. The district, which includes most of El Paso County, proved to be the perfect place to foster a culture of liberal politics inside Texas. Using El Paso as a political playground, O’Rourke has developed a unique progressive agenda that can be woven into the framework of a Republican state.

Take gun violence, for example. The proliferation of guns in the United States is a critical issue that nearly all Democrats seem to be unified against. O’Rourke has spoken out about the issue repeatedly. It has taken a central role in his voting record and his legislative agenda. Yet, this seems to be something that would clash with mainstream conservative Texas, where gun culture is simply… culture. This is, after all, a state that made it legal for a civilian to fire a semi-automatic rifle out of a helicopter. As of today, Dallas also happens to be the site of the annual NRA convention, an event that, so far, has drawn record numbers of attendees, nearing 100,000 people.

But O’Rourke is still viable in a race for a Texas Senate seat. How could a pro-gun-control Democrat even take root in a state so gun-crazed as Texas? Perhaps he said it best himself:

“We have a great tradition and culture of gun ownership and gun safety for hunting, for sport, for self-defense. I think that can allow Texas to take the lead on a really tough issue, which the country is waiting for leadership and action on.” — Beto O’Rourke (to CNN Mar. 14, 2018)

Both Beto O’Rourke and Ted Cruz were interviewed by CNN on March 14th following a controversial ad the Cruz campaign run. The ad attacked O’Rouke for using his first name in his campaign slogan. While many pundits criticized Cruz for being hypocritical (his legal name is Rafael Edward Cruz) O’Rourke used the platform to talk about his vision for a progressive Texas (via CNN).

In the House, Beto O’Rourke led the charge on the Democrat’s gun-control sit-in and other efforts to force Congress to act. He also supports a complete assault-weapons ban, along with tightening restrictions on access to guns for those with histories of felonies, domestic abuse, or mental illness. But he’s also made it overtly clear that he is not in favor of “taking our guns” or “stripping Texans of their second amendment rights,” as O’Rourke’s incumbent opponent purported. Rather, he has found a unique and evidently successful way to work liberally within the mold of the Texan social fabric.

O’Rourke has chosen to channel Texas’ legacy and tradition of gun culture into a new and innovative liberalism. The state’s perspective on guns is unlike nearly any other. Along with being a state where firearms remain a dominant part of the zeitgeist, the state is still in shock from the tragic church shooting in Sutherland Springs this past November and the Santa Fe High School shooting this May. O’Rourke has pointed out that the state is in a position not just to act but to lead. As it could with guns, Texas also has the potential, as O’Rourke says, to be the pioneers of immigration reform.

We are the defining immigrant state. We should be leading the way on immigration reform, not being the sole senator…to turn his back on Texas and his opportunity to lead on an issue that we know better than anyone else — better than any other part of the country. — Beto O’Rourke (to CNN Mar. 14, 2018)

This application of progressive, Democratic reforms to a conservative state like Texas should prove that O’Rourke’s campaign is most assuredly worth watching. In addition to proposing innovative and provocative new reforms for Texas, he has also run an entirely grassroots campaign, refusing to take any PAC donations. Along with a smart and creative platform, this PAC-free pledge has helped to shape O’Rourke’s narrative as a rising star. With crowd-drawing appeal and a truly charismatic quality, Beto O’Rourke has been described as “Kennedy-esque.” He seems to have that simple quality that just makes people want to vote for him. And he’ll surely need it.

O’Rourke remains one of the most popular politicians in Texas. He carries a charismatic persona and down-to-earth feel (via Beto O’Rourke for Congress Committee).

The three-term US House Rep. isn’t just running as a Democrat in Texas. He also happens to be running against one of the biggest names in the Republican Party — Ted Cruz.