Beto O'Rourke: The Man Trying To Take Down Ted Cruz

Beto O'Rourke (pictured with his family) is the Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate in Texas. He is trying to defeat one of the worst senators in Washington -- Ted Cruz (a man who has earned the enmity of most other senators of both political parties).

O'Rourke is smart, personable, and reasonable -- and he is campaigning across the state (even in the reddest Texas counties). And he's doing it without a penny of PAC money. Speaking as a Democrat, I think Beto O'Rourke is the best senate candidate we've had in quite a while. It won't be easy, but I think he has a reasonable chance to unseat Cruz.

Here a bit of information about O'Rourke (taken from his website):

Beto O’Rourke is a fourth-generation Texan, born and raised in El Paso. After graduating from Columbia University, Beto worked in New York for a few years before deciding to move back to his hometown and start a small technology company. El Paso wasn’t the most likely place to start a company like this, but thanks to the work of some really talented El Pasoans, the company was a success. Over the years Stanton Street hired dozens of people in high skill, high-wage jobs that one might not expect to see in a border community.

Outside of work, Beto became deeply involved in the civic, business and community efforts in El Paso. He ran for El Paso City Council in 2005 and served for two terms before running for U.S. Congress in 2012, taking on an eight-term incumbent and winning. He knocked on thousands of doors and had real conversations, face-to-face, with the voters in El Paso.

In Congress, Beto serves on the House Committees for Armed Services and Veterans Affairs. He has made it a priority to work across the aisle to secure bipartisan support for his legislation, because Beto knows our country is at its best when we can put party aside to work together, build consensus and find common ground.

Much of Beto’s focus has been on improving the ability for veterans to get the health care — and other earned benefits — that they need. He’s also been focused on curbing the influence of corporate money in Congress. He helped introduce the “No PAC Act,” which would stop candidates for federal office from relying on PACs to bankroll their campaigns.

Accountability and responsiveness are critical to excellence in public service. Beto has made it a priority to host monthly town halls in El Paso to hear directly from his constituents. For nearly five years he hasn’t missed a single one. And that’s exactly how he’s running his campaign for U.S. Senate.

Beto is traveling to every part of Texas to meet with Texans in their communities. Whether they’re Democrats, Republicans, Independents or even non-voters, all Texans deserve an accountable, full-time, full-service Senator who’s committed to working tirelessly for our state. Now is the time for Texas to step up and lead.

Beto and his wife, Amy, are raising their three children, Ulysses, Molly and Henry, in El Paso.