Mike Norris, Co-Editor, The American Dossier
On March 14th, Robert Francis “Beto” O’Rourke confirmed what many had long suspected: He is running for the 2020 Democratic Presidential nomination. Within 24 hours of announcing, CNN reported that O’Rourke had raised $6.1 million in online donations. With 128,000 contributors averaging $47.00 per donation, O’Rourke is instantly a top tier candidate. But, does he have what it takes to win?
Born in El Paso, Texas on September 26, 1972, “Beto” is the son of Pat and Melissa O’Rourke. As a teenager, he was a member of the computer hacker group, “Cult of the Dead Cow,” operating under the handle "Psychedelic Warlord.” In 1988, after attending El Paso High School for two years, “Beto” transferred to Woodberry Forrest School, an all-boys boarding school in Woodberry Forest, Virginia. After graduating, he attended Columbia University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English literature.
On May 19, 1995, “Beto” was arrested at the University of Texas El Paso for "attempted forcible entry." On September 27, 1998, he was arrested for drunk driving. Witnesses report “Beto” driving “a high rate of speed,” subsequently losing control and sideswiping a truck. The witness later told police that O’Rourke had tried to drive away from the scene.
In 2004 “Beto” filed to run for El Paso City Council.
While campaigning, he met Amy Sanders, the daughter of Bill Sanders. A renowned real estate giant, Forbes estimates that Sanders has a net worth of $500 million. On April Fools Day, just four months after dating, “Beto” proposed to Amy. After the 2005 election, O’Rourke and Sanders were wed at Bill Sanders Santa Fe ranch.
In 2011, “Beto” filed to run for Texas 16th Congressional District, challenging incumbent Silvestre Reyes (D-TX). An eight-term incumbent, Reyes was a former border-patrol guard who supported the War on Drugs and was a strong advocate for hardening America’s Southern border.
As with his Senate bid, “Beto” did not accept donations from corporations or Super PAC’s during his Congressional campaign. So, Bill Sanders and other business leaders supported “Beto’s” campaign with their own Super PAC, spending $240,000 on TV ads that painted Reyes as corrupt. Endorsed by both Barack Obama and Bill Clinton, Reyes attacked O’Rourke on his support from his father-in-law, launching a video ad called “Billionaires for Beto.”
“Beto” caught Reyes by surprise, knocking on approximately 16,000 doors. On Election Day, “Beto” received a large number of Republican crossover votes. He defeated Reyes and held the seat for the next six years, vacating the seat to challenge Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX).
Despite again rejecting PAC money, “Beto” raised over $80 million shattering U.S. Senate fundraising records. During the third quarter of 2018, he raised $38 million, setting the record for fundraising in a single quarter by a U.S. Senate candidate.
As a Congressman, “Beto” exhibited an independent streak. He co-sponsored a bill with Senator John Cornyn (R-TX), to increase border security at ports of entry and did not always vote with his party. After analyzing his voting record, The Guardian, reported that “Beto” voted with Republicans 167 times over six years and approximately a third of the time over the preceding two years.
With the largest field of serious Democratic candidates in recent memory, “Beto’s” biggest obstacle will be separating his candidacy from the pack. As of his announcement, his campaign website lacks any of the policy positions usually seen on candidates’ websites. Opening with the campaign slogan, “Beto For America,” the website features three tabs: one to buy merchandise, one to apply for a job on the campaign and a third to donate money.
“Beto” declares himself a proud capitalist and is quick to point out that he is one of the few Democratic candidates who have owned a small business. He promotes business friendly policies, like raising the cap on work visas and creating a system with the Mexican government that would track who was in the country. In spite of fundraising and policy, “Beto’s” biggest vulnerability is that he is a white man in a Democratic party that is yearning for a woman, or person of color.
In 2020, O’Rourke will attempt to accomplish something not done since James Garfield ascended to the Presidency: Go from the U.S. House directly to the White House without another political stop in between. Unusual, energetic and a prolific fundraiser, “Beto” shares many of the traits that got President Trump into the White House. As to how he plans to take the White House, don’t ask “Beto” in advance. “I don’t ever prepare a speech,” he says. “I don’t write out what I’m going to say.
After serving as an Airborne Infantryman in the 82nd Airborne Division, Mike attended Florida State University, where he received his Bachelors Degree in Political Science and George Washington University, where he received his Masters in Political Management.
Since 2004, Mike has worked in the Florida Senate, where he was one of only two Chief’s of Staff under 30 and in the Michigan Senate, where he served as the Legislative Aide to the Assistant Minority Floor Leader. The 2018 election cycle was Mike’s eighth as a Political Consultant.
Mike previously served as the Secretary and Vice President of the Tampa Bay Young Republicans, Regional Vice Chair for the Florida Federated Young Republicans and attended the 2012 Republican National Convention as an Alternate Delegate. He currently lives in Grosse Pointe Woods, Michigan, with his rescue Pit Bull, Ike.