Texas Beto O’Rourke drops F-bomb in raucous concession speech

Beto O’Rourke didn’t go quietly.

“I f---ing love you guys!” the Texas Democrat said as he conceded to Republican Sen. Ted Cruz before a raucous crowd of supporters.


It was an unusual vulgarity to hear from a member of Congress on live television. MSNBC anchor Brian Williams hastily apologized to viewers.

“Sorry about the f-bomb,” Williams said. “We have no control over what’s in the concession speeches of various candidates around the country.”

Even in defeat, the punk-rocker turned politician basked in his newfound celebrity. From the moment he stepped onto a concert stage in a minor-league baseball stadium — complete with ambient lighting, a drum set, a fog machine and a handheld microphone — O’Rourke put on a show for fans.

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“El Paso, I love you so much,” he said, hoisting his fist in the air to loud cheers.

It was a hard day’s night for O‘Rourke, edged by Cruz in a closely watched race that failed to advance Democrats‘ goal of taking the Senate. But in the process, he gained a level of name recognition that’s sure to fuel speculation about a run in 2020. Running on a left-of-center campaign focused on health care, immigration and education, he cemented his status as a liberal darling — and his undoing in the deep-red Texas.

O’Rourke thanked supporters for helping him raise $70 million by mid-October, mostly from small donations.

He also hinted at the future.

“We will see you out there,“ O‘Rourke said. “Down the road.”