User:Krookyj/the Beto O'Rourke article if he'd won
American politician / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Robert Francis "Beto" O'Rourke (/ˈbɛtoʊ oʊˈrɔːrk/; born September 26, 1972) is an American politician serving as the junior United States Senator from Texas since January 3, 2019. He represented Texas's 16th congressional district in the United States House of Representatives from 2013 to 2019. He sought the 2020 Democratic nomination for President of the United States.
Beto O'Rourke | |
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![]() O'Rourke in 2019 | |
United States Senator from Texas | |
Assumed office January 3, 2019 | |
Preceded by | Ted Cruz |
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Texas's 16th district | |
In office January 3, 2013 – January 3, 2019 | |
Preceded by | Silvestre Reyes |
Succeeded by | Veronica Escobar |
Mayor pro tempore of El Paso | |
In office June 14, 2005 – June 20, 2006 | |
Mayor | John Cook |
Preceded by | Anthony Cobos |
Succeeded by | Presi Ortega |
Member of the El Paso City Council from the 8th district | |
In office June 1, 2005 – June 27, 2011 | |
Preceded by | Anthony Cobos |
Succeeded by | Cortney Niland |
Personal details | |
Born | Robert Francis O'Rourke (1972-09-26) September 26, 1972 (age 51) El Paso, Texas, U.S. |
Political party | Democratic |
Spouse |
Amy Sanders (m. 2005) |
Children | 3 |
Parent(s) | Pat O'Rourke Melissa Williams |
Education | Columbia University (BA) |
Signature | ![]() |
O'Rourke was born into a local political family in El Paso, Texas, and is a graduate of Woodberry Forest School and Columbia University.[1] While studying at Columbia, O'Rourke began a brief music career as bass guitarist in the post-hardcore band Foss. After his college graduation, he returned to El Paso and began a business career. In 2005, he was elected to the El Paso City Council, serving until 2011. O'Rourke was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2012 after defeating eight-term incumbent Democrat Silvestre Reyes in the primary.
After being re-elected to the House in 2014 and 2016, O'Rourke declined to seek re-election in 2018. Instead, he sought the U.S. Senate seat held by Cruz, running a competitive campaign that drew national attention. O'Rourke won, setting a record for most votes ever cast for a Democrat in Texas history. On March 14, 2019, O'Rourke announced his campaign for President of the United States in the 2020 United States presidential election. He suspended his campaign on November 1, 2019, before the primaries began.[2]