Because it’s #BetoDay I decided to jump on the trend and tell my Beto story.
I first discovered Beto when he live-streamed a cross-country road trip with Will Hurd; I was lucky enough to stumble in the livestream. https://time.com/4703631/beto-o-rourke-will-hurd-road-trip-congress/">https://time.com/4703631/b...
I first discovered Beto when he live-streamed a cross-country road trip with Will Hurd; I was lucky enough to stumble in the livestream. https://time.com/4703631/beto-o-rourke-will-hurd-road-trip-congress/">https://time.com/4703631/b...
I was mesmerized by him on that road trip! What an open-minded, fun politician! So I started watching for any and all news of Beto O’Rourke.
And before long he announced his Senate campaign!! https://www.dallasnews.com/news/politics/2017/03/31/beto-o-rourke-launches-2018-senate-campaign-in-underdog-bid-to-unseat-ted-cruz/">https://www.dallasnews.com/news/poli...
And before long he announced his Senate campaign!! https://www.dallasnews.com/news/politics/2017/03/31/beto-o-rourke-launches-2018-senate-campaign-in-underdog-bid-to-unseat-ted-cruz/">https://www.dallasnews.com/news/poli...
It took awhile for his campaign to get up and running but I kept watching and looking for an opportunity to get involved and eventually managed to get onto his texting team.
For months, often daily, I was glued to my keyboard, texting away and watching campaign live-streams.
For months, often daily, I was glued to my keyboard, texting away and watching campaign live-streams.
But then he lost. That was a crushing blow. Me and thousands of others cried bitter tears. And felt bereft; from November to March we held our breaths and prayed. Then: https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.politico.com/amp/story/2019/03/14/beto-orourke-2020-president-1207704">https://www.google.com/amp/s/www...
Such joy in Mudville! The fight continues! We are all in! I join the texting team and, although my health is declining, travel to what events I can.
Phoenix is where I met @stateoflynn!
Beto speaking in Phoenix:
Phoenix is where I met @stateoflynn!
Beto speaking in Phoenix:
Right after he spoke in Phoenix and I had finished my staff duties, I rushed down to Tucson to hear him again, and hopefully get to meet him!
Which I did!
Meeting Beto!
Which I did!
Meeting Beto!
That day was the official start of a friendship I have built with Beto and Cynthia. I have to say I have been so lucky and honored to get to know them better, mainly through friends.
I saw them again in December, after Beto had left the race.
I saw them again in December, after Beto had left the race.
Then I got really lucky in February and was part of a group that traveled to El Paso to do lunch with Beto.
On Beto’s front steps:
On Beto’s front steps:
Later that night he and Cynthia joined us at an El Paso bar and we all hung out.
Me and Beto hanging out.
Me and Beto hanging out.
Since then he has gotten PoweredxPeople up and running and doing amazing things! As a group we phoned thousands to enroll food bank volunteers, and PxP volunteers in TX staffed many food banks themselves. We also phoned to GOTV for the primary elections!
And Beto, surrounded by PxP volunteers, had the chance to endorse Joe Biden at a Dallas rally 1 day before the primary, which turned the tide in Joe’s favor and handed him the win! And PxP volunteers continue to phone and text to make sure all TX voters are registered!
And this effort to register and support TX voters will continue, both up and down the ballot! We are on a mission to turn TX Blue! And all of this work is in part fueled by our love for Beto and his continued inspiration.