Former congressman plans to formally announce his presidential campaign on Thursday, an El Paso TV station reported

This article is more than 1 year old

This article is more than 1 year old

The Democratic rising star Beto O’Rourke is jumping into the race for president, he told a Texas TV station in a text message on Wednesday.

The Democrat, who has publicly mulled a run for months, confirmed his plans in a text to KTSM of El Paso, where he served as a US representative.

O’Rourke said he was proud of “what El Paso represents”, calling it “a big part of why I’m running. This city is the best example of this country at its best.”

The former congressman gained a national following with his run for Senate last year against the Republican Ted Cruz. Though he lost, the close result was considered impressive for a Texas Democrat.

Trump claims 'wall is being built' and mocks O'Rourke at El Paso rally Read more

He plans to formally announce his campaign for the presidential nomination on Thursday, according to KTSM. A source told Reuters the announcement would come via social media.

O’Rourke planned to follow his official announcement with a trip to Iowa, the state that will hold the first Democratic nominating contest in February 2020.

The former congressman inched closer to a run in a Vanity Fair cover story released earlier on Wednesday. “You can probably tell that I want to run,” he said. “I do. I think I’d be good at it.

“Man, I’m just born to be in it, and want to do everything I humanly can for this country at this moment,” O’Rourke said.

He plans to head to Iowa for a three-day trip starting on Thursday, the Dallas Morning News reported, and his supporters were receiving emails asking for help sending out text messages on Thursday morning.