Democrat Beto O'Rourke Plans Solo Road Trip to Meet Voters Outside Texas

Source: Wall Street Journal

WASHINGTON—Former Texas Rep. Beto O’Rourke is asking aides to create an itinerary for him to take a solo road trip outside of Texas where he would “pop into places” such as community college campuses, as he considers whether to enter the 2020 Democratic presidential primary, according to a person familiar with the plans.

Mr. O’Rourke’s trip would begin from his El Paso home and keep him away from Iowa and other early-voting states. Mr. O’Rourke doesn’t plan to be accompanied by staff or press, though he may document the trip on social media and allow people he meets to do so as well. He doesn’t plan to make a final decision on a presidential bid until at least February.

Mr. O’Rourke is one of three leading Democratic figures looming over the party’s nascent presidential contest. Decisions to be made in coming weeks by former Vice President Joe Biden and Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, along with Mr. O’Rourke’s move, will help shape the contours of the 2020 Democratic campaign.

Potential candidates’ decisions could also be influenced by Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren’s first foray in Iowa, where she was well received by hundreds of Democrats pining for a candidate to take on Republican President Trump.

Read more: https://www.wsj.com/articles/beto-orourke-plans-solo-road-trip-to-meet-democratic-voters-outside-texas-11546900932