Rep. Beto O’Rourke (D-Texas) said Monday that he would not rule out a run for president in 2020, backtracking on recent statements that he would not seek the White House.
O’Rourke, who rocketed to national fame with his campaign to unseat Sen. Ted CruzRafael (Ted) Edward CruzSenate advances public lands bill in late-night vote The Hill’s Morning Report – Trump’s public standing sags after Floyd protests GOP senators introduce resolution opposing calls to defund the police MORE (R-Texas), indicated Monday that he and his wife are discussing the possibility.
“Amy and I made a decision not to rule anything out,” O’Rourke told reporters after a town hall in El Paso, Texas, according to The Washington Post.
Cruz defeated O’Rourke in a surprisingly close race in deep-red Texas, but the El Paso Democrat’s loss immediately sparked widespread calls for him to challenge President Trump.
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During his Senate campaign, he pushed aside calls for him to run for president, saying on MSNBC: “I will not be a candidate for president in 2020. That’s, I think, as definitive as those sentences get.”
The progressive star, a three-term congressman, has drawn comparisons to former President Obama.
O’Rourke’s wife, Amy, said that the couple has not spoken with any political strategists, and said that the possibility of her husband running a presidential campaign was flattering and “scary.”
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“To me that just seems like you have to give up so much,” she said, according to the Post. “I don’t know if this is a line that I or we really want to cross.”
O’Rourke would be entering a crowded field of Democrats hoping to take on Trump in 2020, with many speculating that former Vice President Joe BidenJoe BidenHillicon Valley: Biden calls on Facebook to change political speech rules | Dems demand hearings after Georgia election chaos | Microsoft stops selling facial recognition tech to police Trump finalizing executive order calling on police to use ‘force with compassion’ The Hill’s Campaign Report: Biden campaign goes on offensive against Facebook MORE and Sens. Bernie SandersBernie SandersThe Hill’s 12:30 Report: Milley apologizes for church photo-op Harris grapples with defund the police movement amid veep talk Biden courts younger voters — who have been a weakness MORE (I-Vt.), Elizabeth WarrenElizabeth WarrenWarren, Democrats urge Trump to back down from veto threat over changing Confederate-named bases OVERNIGHT DEFENSE: Joint Chiefs chairman says he regrets participating in Trump photo-op | GOP senators back Joint Chiefs chairman who voiced regret over Trump photo-op | Senate panel approves 0B defense policy bill Trump on collision course with Congress over bases with Confederate names MORE (D-Mass.), Kamala HarrisKamala Devi HarrisRand Paul introduces bill to end no-knock warrants The Hill’s Campaign Report: Biden campaign goes on offensive against Facebook McEnany says Juneteenth is a very ‘meaningful’ day to Trump MORE (D-Calif.) and Cory BookerCory Anthony BookerRand Paul introduces bill to end no-knock warrants Black lawmakers unveil bill to remove Confederate statues from Capitol Harris grapples with defund the police movement amid veep talk MORE (D-N.J.) could all throw their hats in the ring.