Former Texas Rep. Beto O’Rourke, a once 2020 contender, endorsed Joe Biden on Monday night.

O’Rourke gained prominence on the national stage in 2018 when he mounted a challenge to Texas Republican Sen. Ted Cruz and came within 3 points of capturing the seat.


The Texan was one of the many Democratic hopefuls vying for this year’s presidential nomination. Following a mass shooting in El Paso in August, O’Rourke helped push the gun control debate to the left with his proposal for a mandatory buyback of assault weapons. But his campaign stalled. Facing extreme financial strain, he dropped out of the primary last fall.