A group of former Democratic candidates and Democratic activists, actors, and social media influencers have joined forces and created a “Draft Beto” campaign to encourage outgoing Rep. Beto O’Rourke, D-Texas, to run for president in 2020.
“The comparisons to JFK and even Obama exist for a reason. Beto’s the real deal. His ability to inspire and connect with voters is unparalleled, even among such strong field of presidential contenders,” Nate Lerner, co-founder of Draft Beto and head of its grassroots team, said in a statement Tuesday. “The energy we’re seeing this early is absolutely unprecedented as well.”
The group has created an escrow account so all money raised would go toward an O’Rouke presidential campaign, should O’Rourke decide to enter the 2020 Democratic primary fray. Draft Beto’s goal is to raise $1 million to encourage him to run and also to give him a “head-start” in the primary.
[Opinion: Stop comparing Beto O’Rourke’s potential 2020 presidential bid to Barack Obama’s in 2008]
It’s uncertain if O’Rourke will run in 2020, although he previously said he would “not be a candidate for president in 2020” during his Senate campaign. He lost his Senate race against incumbent Sen. Ted Cruz on Nov. 6 during the midterm election, but the closer-than-expected 51-48 percent result has stoked speculation about a future in national politics.
“It’s now five-plus weeks from the election,” O’Rourke told reporters last week when asked about a potential run.
“I’m no closer to deciding,” he said.
