Oct 15, 2019

Beto O'Rourke "cannot fathom" running for public office if he's not 2020 nominee

Michael Sykes

Photo: Mario Tama/Getty Images

2020 candidate Beto O'Rourke told Politico that he "cannot fathom" a situation where he would run for public office again if he doesn't win the Democratic presidential nomination.

Why it matters: O'Rourke has long faced pressure from Democratic activists to abandon his low-polling presidential bid — which has seen diminishing fundraising in 2019 — and run for Senate in his home state of Texas. It's worth noting that he similarly ruled out a presidential bid last year, unequivocally telling CBS' "60 Minutes" that he wouldn't be in the 2020 race.

Go deeper: Beto O'Rourke's 2020 relaunch still targets Trump instead of Senate

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Fadel Allassan

The factors behind Beto O'Rourke's failed campaign

Beto O'Rourke speaks to volunteer Charlie Jordan as she tries to hold back tears after O'Rourke announced he was dropping out of the presidential race. Photo: Joshua Lott/Getty Images

Beto O'Rourke's bid for president fell apart because of weak polling numbers, fundraising troubles, debate struggles and failure to build a cohesive base, according to FiveThirtyEight.

Why it matters: The former Texas congressman was seen early as a potential frontrunner for the Democratic nomination. FiveThirtyEight notes O'Rourke struggled to maintain momentum from an early bounce after failing to reframe his candidacy around liberal issues like gun control.

Go deeperArrowNov 2, 2019
Ursula Perano, Orion Rummler

Beto O'Rourke drops out of 2020 presidential race

Photo: Win McNamee/Getty Images

Former Rep. Beto O'Rourke (D-Tex.) dropped out of the 2020 race for the Democratic presidential nomination on Friday.

The big picture: O'Rourke had once been the subject of buzz, with multiple polls showing him as a viable prospect for the Democrats in 2020. But as his campaign came to fruition, he failed to gain traction, and attempted to rebrand himself multiple times.

Go deeperArrowNov 1, 2019
Rebecca Falconer

Sanders to Bloomberg: You're not going to buy this election

Democratic Presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders at the Climate Crisis Summit at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, Saturday. Photo: Stephen Maturen/Getty Images

Sen. Bernie Sanders had a message for new Democratic presidential rival, billionaire Mike Bloomberg, during the Climate Crisis Summit at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, Saturday: "You're not going to buy this election."

Go deeperArrowNov 10, 2019