Beto O’Rourke Starts Campaign Tour

Former Texas representative Beto O’Rourke, a candidate for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination, is lagging in the polls, showing about 5% support among voters. But he’s hoping to turn things around by rallying voters in California. Beto talked about climate change and immigration to audiences in L.A., Modesto, and elsewhere, even breaking into Spanish occasionally while addressing Latino audiences.

“Security is purchased not with walls or cages or cruelty, but by treating our fellow human beings with the dignity and respect they deserve,” O’Rourke said at L.A. Trade-Technical College, referring to President Trump’s border wall and hardline stance on immigration. “Our nation’s strength is that people choose us. And if immigration is a problem, it’s the best problem the United States of America could have right now.”

On Sunday morning, O’Rourke held a town hall meeting at the Irish Cultural Center in San Francisco. On Monday, he will visit Modesto, his first of several stops in the Central California valley. He is one of the first candidates to visit the area.

“Since announcing his bid for the White House, O’Rourke has personally driven 4,197 miles as his grassroots campaign has crisscrossed the United States to join tens of thousands of Americans in 86 cities across 12 states and the District of Columbia where he has answered 636 questions from voters,” a press release from O’Rourke’s campaign said.

On Tuesday, O’Rourke will visit San Diego, concluding his tour of the Golden State.