The New York Times has a piece out about U.S. Rep. Beto O’Rourke’s (D. TX) campaign to unseat U.S. Senator Ted Cruz (R. TX). It’s a must-read about a campaign we should all be paying close attention too and I wanted to pass this along to all of you.
But there is power in the giant-killer narrative and signs that his anti-campaign playbook campaign is working. He raised $2.4 million in the last quarter, and gets applause when he notes that was $500,000 more than Mr. Cruz took in.
He has a restless energy that has put him in 217 of Texas 254 counties, driving tens of thousands of miles, fueled by bad coffee and Hostess cupcakes that supporters bring him.
In Lufkin, he was greeted with chants of “Beto, Beto, Beto.” His campaign took in $1,258 in checks and cash dropped into a large jar.
“I think he can win. I think he can inspire Texans,” said Susan McCulley, adding, “we’re not just mad, we’re scared.”
Another supporter, Ferryn Martin, said, “In 2010, the Tea Party was mad. This year, we are mad.”
Mr. O’Rourke tries to tap into that emotion. He livestreams almost every aspect of his campaign — the coffees, the town halls, “bowling with Beto,” stops at Whataburger, the drives between stops, which often include calls to voters and activists and from his wife, Amy. Driving with his left forearm and right elbow on the steering wheel, he asked her about the science fair projects of their three children.
His theory of the case is that he can make the sale in rural Texas in part simply by showing up. If he can cut down Mr. Cruz’s margins there and generate energy in urban precincts and suburbs, he can become the first Democrat since Lloyd Bentsen in 1988 to win a Texas Senate seat.
Give the whole piece a read and pass it along. If you like what you read, I strongly suggest you get involved with O’Rourke’s campaign to crush Cruz. Click here to donate and get involved with Beto’s campaign.