Democrat Beto O'Rourke says he'll run for Senate if Texans want him to
Beto O'Rourke, a former U.S. Representative and Democrat from Texas, has expressed his willingness to run for the U.S. Senate if the people of Texas desire his candidacy. Despite previous unsuccessful bids for the Senate, presidency, and governorship, O'Rourke remains open to entering the political fray again, contingent on public support. His political history includes a notable 2018 Senate race loss to Ted Cruz and a failed 2022 gubernatorial attempt against Greg Abbott. Republicans, including Senator Mike Lee and State Rep. Mitch Little, have mocked O'Rourke's potential candidacy, suggesting a lack of public interest. Meanwhile, Senator John Cornyn faces re-election in 2026, with Texas AG Ken Paxton already mounting a primary challenge against him.
Beto O'Rourke has indicated that he would consider running for the U.S. Senate again if he perceives a strong desire from Texans for him to do so, following previous unsuccessful campaigns for Senate, president, and governor.
O'Rourke's past political efforts include a high-profile loss to Senator Ted Cruz in the 2018 U.S. Senate race and a 2022 gubernatorial defeat to current Governor Greg Abbott, underscoring his challenges in gaining higher office.
Despite his electoral setbacks, O'Rourke remains a figure of interest in Texas politics, suggesting his continued relevance and appeal to certain voter segments, though not without significant opposition.
Republican Senator Mike Lee of Utah and Texas State Representative Mitch Little have publicly ridiculed the idea of O'Rourke's candidacy, indicating skepticism about his chances and public support.
With Senator John Cornyn's seat up for grabs in 2026, the political landscape in Texas is heating up, further intensified by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton's announcement of a Republican primary challenge against Cornyn.
The dynamics of Texas politics continue to be defined by strong partisan divides and the pursuit of prominent political figures like O'Rourke, whose potential candidacy could impact the state's electoral outlook.