How old is Beto O'Rourke and will the Democrat run for US President in 2020?
Here's what you need to know about the Democratic congressman's plans for the future – and whether running for President in 2020 is on his to-do list.
How old is Beto O'Rourke?
Robert Francis "Beto" O'Rourke is 46 years old.
The dad-of-three was born on September 26, 1972, to El Paso County Judge Pat O'Rourke and Melissa Martha.
His step-grandfather Fred Korth was the Secretary of the Navy under President John F. Kennedy.
He obtained the Spanish nickname Beto from loved ones, who were keen to distinguish him from his grandad who shared the same name.
He is married to Amy Hoover Sanders, 35, and they have three children, Ulysses, Henry and Molly.
O'Rourke's father was killed in July 2001 at 58-years-old, as he was struck by a passing car while riding his bike.
How did he perform in the US midterm elections?
O’Rourke won over more than 48 per cent of the state compared to Ted Cruz, who received 51 per cent of votes.
His race broke fundraising records and saw voter turnout soar across Texas.
He was considered a "longshot" candidate, so to lose by such a small margin was actually a huge success for O'Rourke.
Will he run for President in 2020?
He has previously ruled out entering the presidential race, saying he wanted to spend more time with his young children.
A new poll has lent fresh hope to his supporters, showing that he is among the favourites for the democratic presidential race.
He ranked fourth in the Harvard CAPS-Harris Poll, only coming only established heavy-weights of Joe Biden, Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton.
Mark Penn, co-director, said: Beto is the kind of fresh face who could shake up the Democratic race,” said Mark Penn, co-director of Harvard CAPS/Harris Poll. “He starts off by blowing past some well-known names. Biden loses support upon his entry.”
The same poll shows that Mr Trump is backed by 44 per cent of Republican and Independent voters.
What's his background?
O'Rourke graduated Columbia University in 1995 with a degree in English Literature.
After college he worked as a caretaker before moving to an internet service provider, then became a proofreader for H. W. Wilson Company.
In 1999 he co-founded Stanton Street Technology Group, an internet services and software company which his wife now looks after.
O'Rourke's political career started in 2012 when he represented Texas' 16th congressional district in the US House of Representatives.
He gave up his congressional seat to run for Senate in 2018.
What are his political views?
O'Rourke is classed as a progressive, liberal or centrist.
He is a promoter of business and industry, saying: "We must connect those out of work with the high value jobs being created right here in Texas by investing in the training, certification and apprenticeship programs that make it possible."
He wants to end the "war on drugs" by decriminalising the possession of marijuana and has written a book about the subject called 'Dealing Death and Drugs: The Big Business of Dope in the U.S. and Mexico'.
O'Rourke is a supporter of renewable energy and wants to combat global warming.
He has called for a complete ban on assault rifles and supports universal background checks for gun purchases.
What band was he in?
O'Rourke also played drums in the band Swedes, who released an album called Summer in 1995.
Fellow bandmates included Jake Barowsky, Arlo Klahr, Julie Napolin, and Mike Stevens.
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