O'Rourke skips Iowa, stays in El Paso after mass shooting

EL PASO, Texas (AP) — Beto O'Rourke has been searching for the spotlight almost since he entered the crowded race for president. He found it in a way he could never have predicted or wanted.

Since a white nationalist shot and killed 22 people at a Walmart in his hometown of El Paso, on Texas' border with Mexico, the former congressman has emerged as the face of a community coping with a jarring tragedy.

He insists he's not focused on politics — even canceling a high-profile trip to Iowa this weekend — but his response to the massacre undoubtedly has far-reaching implications for his White House bid and clear political risk. It may provide the jolt O'Rourke needs to revive a flagging campaign . Or it could leave him looking like he's trying to capitalize on the tragedy while the other presidential candidates roll on without him.

O'Rourke announced Wednesday that he won't attend the Iowa State Fair or other planned events, meaning he's avoiding the state that kicks off presidential primary voting at a time when nearly every other Democratic 2020 hopeful will be there. Instead, his Iowa campaign staff is organizing a moment of silence before a Friday night event featuring most of the other candidates.

Read more: https://www.seattlepi.com/news/texas/article/O-Rourke-forgoing-Iowa-to-stay-in-Texas-after-14287264.php