Thread by @TexasTribune

1/ @BetoORourke is reportedly running for president.

From a “little-known” El Paso congressman to the name on every 2020 Democratic watch list, the past two years have been a ride.

bit.ly/2UHTsag

2/ Beto O’Rourke’s path to Democratic political superstardom began in early 2017, when he first seemed interested in challenging @tedcruz.

He was a “little-known challenger” who’d face “steep odds” if he jumped into the race. bit.ly/2HjGSeG

3/ Beto O’Rourke proved to be a savvy campaigner, taking the #txsen race to every county in the state.

It was unconventional, to say the least. bit.ly/2UAYLsh

4/ Beto O'Rourke ultimately raised over $80 million in his unsuccessful bid to unseat Sen. Ted Cruz. He broke records with his fundraising. bit.ly/2Hi3jAD

5/ O'Rourke’s case for a #txsen run was:

+ Senators are a check on the president.
+ He's a Democrat from El Paso — "the Ellis Island of the western hemisphere" — with a lot to add to the immigration debate.

That second part's been key recently. bit.ly/2W42sqT

6/ It was a symbolic, split-screen night in early February. President Trump and O'Rourke — potentially the last two standing in November next year — both made their case on immigration in El Paso.

It's the place that O'Rourke says drives him the most. bit.ly/2VZ2wYJ

7/ His El Paso roots run deep. Born Robert Francis O’Rourke, he went by “Beto” — a common Spanish nickname for men named “Roberto.”

The son of the county judge. An ex-punk rocker. Texan with an Ivy League pedigree.

"He's an El Pasoan before anything.” bit.ly/2O1MjPQ

8/ In the eighth grade, O’Rourke fell in love with punk rock after listening to London Calling, a record from the Clash.

In his early 20s, O’Rourke formed the band Foss with three friends, putting out an EP “The El Paso Pussycats.” bit.ly/2Hh6VD3

9/ His senate campaign wasn’t all smooth-sailing. Less than a week before Election Day, a super-PAC went up with an ad hitting O’Rourke on a 1998 drunk-driving arrest: "What's worse — driving drunk or lying about it?"

bit.ly/2ClJ1SI

10/ He addressed it during the first #txsen debate. He denied reports that a witness saw him try to flee.

“I did not try to leave the scene of the accident, though driving drunk, which I did, is a terrible mistake for which there is no excuse,” he said. bit.ly/2Hi6xEh

11/ Beto O’Rourke wasn’t just open about his past on the campaign trail. He was open to throwing f-bombs — so often, in fact, it became part of his brand.

“I’m so fucking proud of you guys,” he told supporters just after conceding the race last year.

bit.ly/2F9H91o

12/ Beto O’Rourke was an unconventional campaigner in more ways than one. He turned heads by buddying up to another Texan in Congress, Rep. @HurdOnTheHill — a Republican. They went on a massive road trip, broadcasted to thousands on Facebook live.

13/ He took his message to parts of the state that have long been forgotten by Democrats, from the reddest parts of the state in the panhandle to the piney forests of East Texas.

By the end, he had visited every county in the state — all 254. bit.ly/2Fbg128

15/ The strategy helped Barack Obama secure an Iowa win in 2008, with the mindset that you have to put every voter in play.

But Texas — and the nation — is a whole lot larger than Iowa.

texastribune.org/2017/03/31/to-…

16/16 We’ve shown you a little bit of his past. Read more about O’Rourke’s present and 2020 future here. bit.ly/2VRTsEW