Beto O'Rourke to challenge Ted Cruz in Texas' 2018 Senate race

[bathroommonkey76]

WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. Beto O'Rourke, a Democrat and ex-punk rocker who pulled a stunning upset to win his House seat six years ago, plans to declare his candidacy on Friday for the Senate seat held by Ted Cruz, according to Democratic sources in Texas.

O'Rourke's fledgling campaign has scheduled an announcement on Friday in El Paso, his hometown. He has traveled heavily in Texas over the last three months making contacts, barely concealing his political plans.

"I'm very moved to do it," O'Rourke, 44, said in an interview earlier this month, adding that he had reached the "emotional decision" about his candidacy.

Campaign aides declined to confirm that he will enter the 2018 Senate race.

U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro, D-San Antonio, is the only other high-profile Democrat who has expressed interest in running against Cruz. Castro, 42, who has climbed the House ranks more swiftly than O'Rourke and may see himself as having more to lose, said recently he will announce his decision next month.

Read more:

http://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/politics/article/Beto-O-Rourke-to-challenge-Ted-Cruz-in-Texas-11036228.php?t=b4eb45d765438d9cbb&cmpid=twitter-premium

[Dem_4_Life]

1. Ready to get this campaign started.

As a native Texas everyone here is ready for Texas to start turning blue and hopefully he will be able to grab some of the West Texas votes. That area is so deep red that having a West Texas candidate will be interesting. The larger cities Houston, Dallas, San Antonio and Austin are already more blue than they used to be.