Beto O’Rourke
(Picture: AFP via Getty Images)Former US Congressman Beto O’Rourke announced that he is running for governor of Texas - and social media has a lot to say about it.
On Monday, O’Rourke posted a video to his Twitter account to share the news.
“I’m running for governor, and I want to tell you why,” O’Rourke said in the video.
He spent most of the clip focusing on the February 2021 electricity grid failure in Texas, which was caused by a winter storm and devastated millions of people across the state.
“They were abandoned by those who were elected to serve and look out for them. It’s a symptom of a much larger problem that we have in Texas right now,” O’Rourke said about the people who saw their water runout and pipes freeze during that time.
Rather than focusing on problems that impact everyday Texans, O’Rourke says the state’s current leadership is “focusing on” policies such as abortion or permitless carry “that really only divide” residents and stop them from “working together.”
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He continued: But, it doesn’t have to be that way. And I know that together, we can get back to being big again.”
Check out what people had to say praising O’Rourke’s announcement.
And it’s official, Beto O’Rourke is now running for Governor of Texas. Hell to the yes. Good morning. 👏☕️
— Ricky Davila (@TheRickyDavila) November 15, 2021
Beto and AOC are the reason I’m even in politics to begin with. I am beyond excited to see this campaign and will do everything in my power to help. Abbott has got to go and I can’t think of anyone better to replace him. Bestie Beto for the win! https://t.co/cX6fvSWqay
— Olivia Julianna (@0liviajulianna) November 15, 2021
Beto registered voters, helped people get vaccinated, worked food banks, helped people during the freeze--you put a bounty out on women, sent our kids to school without protection during an airborne pandemic, let the grid fail, and now you are banning books. #BetoShowedUp
— Pumpkin Spiced Host Body (@JesusSpiced) November 15, 2021
Beto finally jumps in, with a solid, simple opening message, which boils down to: how about making the electricity work instead of playing Handmaid’s Tale games with women’s lives? https://t.co/HgHFpKiqp1
— Joy-Ann (Pro-Democracy) Reid 😷 (@JoyAnnReid) November 15, 2021
BREAKING: Beto O’Rourke officially announces he is running for Governor of Texas AGAINST Republican Greg Abbott!
— Kim Mangone (@KimMangone) November 15, 2021
Retweet this far and wide to spread the word and if you think he would be GREAT.
Beto O'rourke announced he is running for governor, steve bannon has been arrested and President Biden is signing the infrastructure deal.
— Covie (@covie_93) November 15, 2021
It's going to be a good week.
YAAASSS!!!!
— Kimberley Johnson (@AuthorKimberley) November 15, 2021
Texas, please show up for Beto! https://t.co/8dihqkh7HT
People who are saying Beto has no shot at being governor of Texas have the same vibe as people who refused to do anything to publicly support Trump before the 2020 election because they were sure he'd win.
— Karlyn Borysenko, most dangerous knitter alive 🧶 (@DrKarlynB) November 15, 2021
Beto almost won that Senate seat. Lots of blue has moved to TX since.
Beto worked his butt off for me and other Texas candidates in 2020. He’s the real deal. Let’s make him the next Governor of Texas! pic.twitter.com/PhlQnV9DXF
— Dr. Lydia Bean (@LydiaBeanTexas) November 15, 2021
On the other hand, some people weren’t entirely pleased, such as the current Texas governor Greg Abbott.
Check out his tweet below.
Beto wants to:
— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) November 15, 2021
- defund the police
- kill good paying oil & gas jobs
- allow chaotic open border policies
- support the failing Biden agenda
- impose socialism
- take your guns.
Bring it.
As a result, people swiftly commented back at Abbot.
Beto registered voters, helped people get vaccinated, worked food banks, helped people during the freeze--you put a bounty out on women, sent our kids to school without protection during an airborne pandemic, let the grid fail, and now you are banning books. #BetoShowedUp
— Pumpkin Spiced Host Body (@JesusSpiced) November 15, 2021
Beto wants to:
— Marcel (@MarcelMcClinton) November 15, 2021
- Bring people together
- Keep the lights on (even when it’s cold)
- Expand healthcare
- Invest in public education
- Prioritize public health
- Make Texas a leading job creator again
Big tough talk! My fave is "impose socialism". This from a dude who can't keep the lights on. pic.twitter.com/znx82m7yAF
— genevieve (@genvc) November 15, 2021
3 votes for Beto in my household. Take your tired scaremongering with you when you pack up.
— LauraB🦃 (@lulujb520) November 15, 2021
Y’all come up with the same handful of talking points every year. Get new material.
— Texas Signal (@TexasSignal) November 15, 2021
In 2022, O’Rourke, an El Paso native and former lawmaker for Texas’ 16th district, will run against Republican Gov. Greg Abbott in what is believed to be a crucial Democratic effort to turn the state a bit bluer.
O’Rourke was elected to the House of Representatives for three terms before losing a high-profile Senate battle in 2018 to Sen. Ted Cruz.
Despite losing the election, his name became more well-known, and he had a brief run for president in 2020.
Since his short run for the White House, O’Rourke has devoted much of his time and energy to voting rights, giving courses on the subject at the University of Texas and serving as a key player in the fight against Republican efforts to reform the state’s voting laws during the summer.
