U.S. Senate Candidate Beto O’Rourke Earns Many Voters Support at Eagle Pass Campaign Rally

By: Miguel Munoz, Eagle Pass Business Journal, Inc., Copyright 2018

A day after a successful television debate against rival incumbent Republican U. S. Senator Ted Cruz, Democratic Party U.S. Senate Candidate Congressman Beto O’Rourke (D-El Paso) received an enthusiastic welcome to Eagle Pass and Maverick County, Texas amidst glaring Mariachi Band music on Saturday, September 22, 2018, at 2 P.M. at the Maverick County Lake Pavilion.

Congressman Beto O’Rourke immediately hit the campaign trail following his television debate against Ted Cruz by visiting the Texas-Mexico border cities of Del Rio, Eagle Pass, and Laredo on Saturday, September 22nd.  O’Rourke was accompanied by Congressman Joaquin Castro (D-San Antonio) and former U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary and Mayor of San Antonio Julian Castro during this campaign swing along border cities.  In Del Rio and Eagle Pass, O’Rourke was also joined by Texas State Representative Poncho Nevarez (D-Eagle Pass).

A large crowd of Maverick Countians and Texans estimated nearly a thousand came out on a beautiful sunny Texas Saturday afternoon to greet and meet Beto O’Rourke and listen to his message on how Texas can go forward and proposed sensible, common sense solutions on the salient issues facing Texas and the United States. The large crowd was diverse composed of many U.S. Veterans, teachers and retired teachers, senior citizens, healthcare workers, Baby Boomers, Millennials, Generation Z, and business owners. 

The Eagle Pass Campaign Rally was organized by the Maverick County Democratic Party and a committee of volunteers including Gloria E. Hernandez, Juanita V. Martinez, Judy Canales, Ricardo Lopez, Vangie De Leon, Pepe Aranda, Hooky Guajardo, Ricardo Ruiz, Sophia Berain, Ivan Martinez, David R. Saucedo, Jerry Morales, Nacho Saucedo, Terry Carcasi, Luis A. Ruiz, and many other individuals.

Upon his arrival in Eagle Pass from his earlier successful Del Rio Campaign Rally, Beto O’Rourke was greeted at the Maverick County Lake by traditional music from Eagle Pass’s finest Mariachi Band, Mariachi Los Relampagos, and an enthusiastic crowd chanting “Beto, Beto, Beto” as he shook hands with screaming admirers and supporters seeking to welcome him to Eagle Pass.

State Representative Poncho Nevarez welcomed the large audience to Beto O’Rourke’s Campaign Rally in Eagle Pass and introduced local and regional public dignitaries attending the rally, including Congressman Joaquin Castro of San Antonio and former HUD Secretary and San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro, Maverick County Judge David R. Saucedo, Eagle Pass Mayor Ramsey English Cantu and many others.

San Antonio Congressman Joaquin Castro stated that he is committed to assisting his fellow Congressman Beto O’Rourke getting elected as the next U.S. Senator of Texas.  Former HUD Secretary and San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro told the cheering and clapping audience that Eagle Pass is very special to his family because his grandmother immigrated to the United States from Mexico through the Eagle Pass Port of Entry. Secretary Julian Castro noted how many immigrant families succeeded in the United States and how his family is “blessed” to contribute to the United States like many families have done so.  Julian Castro urged participants to help Beto O’Rourke get elected as the next U.S. Senator of Texas in the November 6th General Election.

Congressman Beto O’Rourke thanked the Mariachi Band for the warm and festive music welcoming him and proceeded to thank everyone for taking time to attend the rally and supporting him. O’Rourke stated that everyone attending the rally is to support the United States, not one political party nor one candidate nor one campaign.  O’Rourke welcomed Republicans, Democarats, and Independents for attending the rally. He looked into the crowd and noted that it represented what America looks like today.  He added that it is important to tell the story of America and the many beautiful  and amazing people who like America and tell our country’s story such as State Representative Poncho Nevarez and “not something to be afraid of, to wall off, to militarize and something to celebrate” our success.  O’Rourke stated that “we will be defined by our aspirations and how we come together and make the most of everyone who wants to be here and contribute to the American Dream.”  

O’Rourke added that “the United States-Mexico border on the issues of immigration, or security, or trade, or bilateral relations with Mexico who better than the people of Eagle Pass, or Del Rio, or Laredo, or El Paso, Texas to tell the rest of the country the path that we want to chart.”  He added “Who better to say ‘si queremos asegura nuestras comunidades necesitamos que tratar a cada persona con respeto y dignidad (if we want to ensure our communities we need to treat each person with respect and dignity).”  O’Rourke is fluent in Spanish and English and occasionally switched to Spanish during his speech, which was positively received by the Eagle Pass rally attendees.

O’Rourke stated that “when we treat everyone with respect and dignity” America is stronger and better for everyone. O’Rourke noted that every person in the United States deserves to be treated with respect and dignity.

O’Rourke stated that we need to stand up for teachers and educators,  noting that many teachers have to work in two or three jobs to make ends meet and many of them spend up to $1,500 per year to buy their own school supplies for their students.  O’Rourke stated he supports paying a livable wage and salary to teachers in Texas and United States.

O’Rourke also highlighted his support for U.S. Veterans and the need for America to honor its responsibilities to its brave Veterans and the Armed Forces men and women who have served or are serving our country.

O’Rourke also discussed national security and other important issues facing the United  States.

The large Eagle Pass campaign rally participants cheered and chanted “Beto, Beto, Beto” during O’Rourke’s speech. One Eagle Passan noted that O’Rourke reminds him of the days of John F. Kennedy and Bobby Kennedy in the 1960s and even has physical characteristics similar to the Kennedys.

Beto O’Rourke was impressed with the enthusiastic and warm welcome Eagle Passans gave him. O’Rourke stayed until every person who wanted to meet and greet him and take a photo with him had done so. 

O’Rourke won the minds, hearts, and votes of Eagle Passans at the September 22nd campaign rally.