History of Beto O'Rourke in Timeline

Beto O'Rourke is an American politician prominent in the Democratic Party. He served as the U.S. Representative for Texas's 16th congressional district (2013-2019). He gained national attention during his 2018 U.S. Senate campaign against incumbent Ted Cruz, which he narrowly lost. O'Rourke also sought the Democratic presidential nomination in 2020 and was the Democratic nominee for Texas governor in 2022. While unsuccessful in these higher-profile races, he remains a visible figure in American politics and a voice in the Democratic party.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Controversies & Scandals

1915: Historical Meeting at O'Rourke's House

In 1915, General Hugh Scott and Pancho Villa reportedly met at the house in El Paso's Sunset Heights where O'Rourke and his family reside.

1954: U.S. Involvement in Guatemala Coup

In 1954, O'Rourke referenced the coup in Guatemala backed by the Eisenhower administration and the Dulles brothers, who had an interest in the United Fruit company.

September 26, 1972: Beto O'Rourke Born

On September 26, 1972, Robert Francis "Beto" O'Rourke was born in El Paso, Texas.

Others born on this day/year

1974: Psychedelic Warlord Inspiration

The pseudonym "Psychedelic Warlord" used by O'Rourke was taken from a 1974 rock song by the band Hawkwind.

1976: Congressional Hispanic Caucus Established

In 1976, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus was established, prior to O'Rourke's election to Congress.

1979: Introduction to Punk Rock

In eighth grade, O'Rourke was introduced to punk rock through The Clash's album, London Calling released in 1979, which he called a "revelation".

Loading Video...

December 11, 1984: Jesse Jackson Press Conference

On December 11, 1984, Jesse Jackson held a press conference at Beto O'Rourke's boyhood home.

1988: Chairman of Presidential Campaign

In 1988, Pat O'Rourke served as state chairman of Jesse Jackson's presidential campaign.

1988: Enrolled in Woodberry Forest School

In 1988, after two years at El Paso High School, Beto O'Rourke enrolled in Woodberry Forest School.

1991: Formed Band Foss

In 1991, while at Columbia University, Beto O'Rourke and friends formed the band Foss.

1993: Released Record

In 1993, Foss released a 7-inch record, "The El Paso Pussycats", on Western Breed Records.

May 19, 1995: Arrest at UTEP

On May 19, 1995, O'Rourke was arrested along with friends for jumping a fence at the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) physical plant. He was charged with attempted burglary.

1995: Graduated from Columbia University

In 1995, Beto O'Rourke graduated from Columbia University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English literature.

1995: Album Release and Other Bands

In 1995, O'Rourke's band Swedes released an album called Summer. He later started Fragile Gang and The Sheeps.

February 1996: Charges Dropped in UTEP Case

In February 1996, prosecutors dropped the charges against O'Rourke and his friends related to the May 1995 incident at UTEP, after the university declined to press charges.

September 27, 1998: Arrest for Driving While Intoxicated

On September 27, 1998, O'Rourke was arrested for driving while intoxicated (DWI) in Anthony, Texas, after losing control of his car and hitting another vehicle.

1998: Returned to El Paso

In 1998, Beto O'Rourke returned to El Paso and worked with computers at his mother's furniture store.

October 1999: DWI Charges Dismissed

In October 1999, the DWI charges against O'Rourke were dismissed after he completed a court-approved DWI program.

2000: Co-founded Stanton Street Technology Group

In 2000, Beto O'Rourke co-founded Stanton Street Technology Group, an Internet services and software company.

July 3, 2001: Death of O'Rourke's Father

On July 3, 2001, O'Rourke's father died in a car accident while cycling near El Paso. He was struck by a car and pronounced dead at the scene. O'Rourke delivered the eulogy at the funeral.

2001: Inspired by Mayoral Run

In 2001, Beto O'Rourke was inspired by Ray Caballero's successful mayoral run.

June 14, 2005: Chosen as Mayor Pro Tem

On June 14, 2005, Beto O'Rourke was chosen as mayor pro tem at his first city council meeting.

September 24, 2005: O'Rourke's Marriage to Amy Hoover Sanders

On September 24, 2005, Beto O'Rourke married Amy Hoover Sanders at her parents' ranch in Lamy, New Mexico.

2005: Elected to El Paso City Council

In 2005, Beto O'Rourke was elected to the El Paso City Council.

2005: O'Rourke Addresses DWI Incident

In 2005, O'Rourke responded to criticism about his 1998 DWI arrest from a political opponent, acknowledging the incident, taking responsibility, and expressing gratitude for a second chance.

June 20, 2006: Relinquished Mayor Pro Tem Position

On June 20, 2006, Beto O'Rourke relinquished the position of mayor pro tem.

2007: Re-elected to City Council

In 2007, Beto O'Rourke won re-election to a second term on the El Paso City Council, defeating Trini Acevedo.

January 2009: Sponsored Resolution on War on Drugs

In January 2009, Beto O'Rourke sponsored a resolution calling for a "comprehensive examination" of the War on Drugs and the repeal of ineffective marijuana laws.

2011: End of City Council Service

In 2011, Beto O'Rourke concluded his service on the El Paso City Council.

2012: Views on Immigration

As early as 2012, Beto O'Rourke asserted that his experience living on the border gave him "a strong understanding of immigration's impact on our community", calling El Paso "an Ellis Island to Latin America for more than 150 years", and spoke against 'militarizing' the border.

2012: Elected to U.S. House of Representatives

In 2012, Beto O'Rourke was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives after defeating Silvestre Reyes in the primary.

2012: Won Democratic Primary

In 2012, Beto O'Rourke won the Democratic primary against Silvestre Reyes to represent Texas's 16th congressional district and later won the general election.

March 2013: Introduced Border Enforcement Accountability Act

In March 2013, Beto O'Rourke and Steve Pearce introduced the Border Enforcement Accountability, Oversight, and Community Engagement Act.

2013: U.S. Representative

In 2013, Beto O'Rourke began serving as the U.S. representative for Texas's 16th congressional district.

2013: Co-sponsorship of Domestic Partnership Benefits and Obligations Act

In 2013, Beto O'Rourke was a co-sponsor of the Domestic Partnership Benefits and Obligations Act of 2013 (H.R. 3135).

November 2014: Opposed Obama's Deferred Action Policy

In November 2014, O'Rourke opposed Obama's deferred action policy.

2014: Co-sponsored Appropriations Act

In 2014, Beto O'Rourke co-sponsored the Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act.

2014: Criticism of Israel's Actions

In 2014, Beto O'Rourke criticized Israel's actions during the Israel–Gaza conflict and voted against funding Israel's Iron Dome missile defense system.

2014: Re-elected to the House

In 2014, O'Rourke was re-elected to the House of Representatives.

2014: Donated Campaign Funds and Re-election

In the fall of 2014, Beto O'Rourke donated at least $28,000 from his campaign funds to fellow Democratic candidates and was re-elected with 67 percent of the vote.

June 22, 2016: Participation in House Sit-In for Gun Control

On June 22, 2016, Beto O'Rourke participated in the sit-in in the House of Representatives that attempted to force a vote on gun control legislation. He transmitted images by cell phone to social media for C-SPAN to broadcast when the Republicans ordered C-SPAN to turn off its normal coverage of the chamber.

September 2016: Approval of Amendments to VA Accountability Act

In September 2016, the House unanimously approved three bills attached as amendments to H.R. 5620, also known as the VA Accountability First and Appeals Modernization Act of 2016. These included the Vet Connect Act of 2016 (H.R. 5162), the Ask Veterans Act (H.R. 1319), and the Get Vets a Doc Now Act (H.R. 5501).

October 2016: TEDx Talk on Immigration

In October 2016, Beto O'Rourke gave a TEDx talk, titled The Border Makes America Great, about his views on immigration.

2016: Vote Against Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act

In 2016, Beto O'Rourke voted against the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act, which allows relatives of victims of the September 11 attacks to sue Saudi Arabia for its government's alleged role in the attacks.

2016: Re-elected to the House

In 2016, O'Rourke was re-elected to the House of Representatives.

June 2017: Wife Operated Business

Until June 2017, O'Rourke's wife Amy, operated the business.

August 2017: Criticism of Trump's Stance on North Korea

In August 2017, Beto O'Rourke criticized Trump's hard-line stance towards North Korea, saying that "We must not allow this president to sleepwalk this country, or tweet this country, into war with North Korea."

2017: Voting Record with League of Conservation Voters

In 2017, Beto O'Rourke received a score of 100 percent from the League of Conservation Voters' national environmental ranking.

2017: Co-sponsor of Medicare-X Choice Act

In 2017, O'Rourke was a co-sponsor of the Medicare-X Choice Act of 2017.

March 7, 2018: Comments on Gun Ownership and Safety

On March 7, 2018, Beto O'Rourke stated that Texas could take the lead on gun safety issues, given its tradition and culture of gun ownership for hunting, sport, and self-defense.

June 2018: Protests against Trump Administration Family Separation Policy

In June 2018, Beto O'Rourke led protests in Tornillo, Texas, against the Trump administration family separation policy, calling the practice "Un-American".

July 2018: Statement on Trump's Performance at Russia-United States Summit

In July 2018, Beto O'Rourke said that Trump's performance while attending the 2018 Russia–United States summit in Helsinki warranted impeachment.

September 2018: Response to Killing of Bothem Shem Jean

In September 2018, Cruz posted to Twitter a video of O'Rourke in a Dallas church, largely attended by African-Americans, speaking out against the killing of Bothem Shem Jean, an unarmed black man in his own home, by an off-duty police officer.

October 2018: Criticism of Saudi Arabia and U.S. Response to Jamal Khashoggi Killing

In October 2018, after President Trump indicated the U.S. would not sanction Saudi Arabia over the killing of Jamal Khashoggi, Beto O'Rourke stated Saudi Arabia must be held accountable for human rights abuses and actions in Yemen.

2018: Support for Medicare for All

In 2018, Beto O'Rourke supported Medicare for All during the US Senate race.

2018: U.S. Senate Nominee

In 2018, Beto O'Rourke was the Democratic Party's nominee for the U.S. Senate.

2018: Declined House Term and Ran for Senate

In 2018, O'Rourke declined to seek another term in the House and instead ran for the U.S. Senate seat, ultimately losing to Ted Cruz.

2018: Ted Cruz's Claims on O'Rourke's Border and Gun Stances

In 2018, Ted Cruz asserted that O'Rourke wanted "open borders and wants to take our guns," claims that PolitiFact found to be "false".

February 2019: Indication of Tearing Down Border Wall

In February 2019, O'Rourke indicated he would tear down the wall between El Paso and the southern US border, since he feels that the fencing has forced migrants to the most inhospitable areas of the southern border, "ensuring their suffering and death".

March 14, 2019: Announced Presidential Candidacy

On March 14, 2019, Beto O'Rourke announced his candidacy for the 2020 United States presidential election.

March 2019: Call for Ending U.S. Involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan Wars

In March 2019, Beto O'Rourke called for ending the U.S.–led Iraq War and War in Afghanistan.

March 2019: Comments on China-United States Trade War

In March 2019, Beto O'Rourke said regarding the China–United States trade war that President Trump had a "legitimate" cause.

March 23, 2019: Accusation of Collusion with Russia

On March 23, 2019, Beto O'Rourke accused President Trump of collusion with Russia to "undermine and influence" U.S. elections.

April 2019: Comments on U.S.-Israel Relationship

In April 2019, Beto O'Rourke called the U.S.–Israel relationship "one of the most important relationships that we have on the planet."

April 2019: Comparison of Trump's Rhetoric to Nazi Germany

In April 2019, Beto O'Rourke publicly compared rhetoric used by Trump to describe immigrants to language from Nazi Germany.

September 2019: Reaffirmation of Commitment to Mandatory Assault Weapon Buybacks

In September 2019, O'Rourke reaffirmed his commitment to mandatory assault weapon buybacks in a tweet.

September 19, 2019: Call for Mandatory Buyback of Assault Weapons

On September 19, 2019, during a Democratic presidential debate, O'Rourke called for a mandatory buyback of assault weapons, saying "Hell yes, we're going to take your AR-15, your AK-47."

October 2019: Proposal to Remove Tax-Exempt Status of Religious Organizations Opposing Same-Sex Marriage

In October 2019, during his presidential campaign, O'Rourke proposed to remove the tax-exempt status of religious organizations that oppose same-sex marriage, which sparked controversy and criticism from other candidates.

October 16, 2019: Comments on Consequences for Non-Compliance with Assault Weapon Buyback

On October 16, 2019, Beto O'Rourke stated that there would be consequences for non-compliance with a mandatory assault weapon buyback program, including visits by law enforcement to recover the firearms.

November 1, 2019: Suspended Presidential Campaign

On November 1, 2019, Beto O'Rourke suspended his 2020 presidential campaign.

2019: End of Term as U.S. Representative

In 2019, Beto O'Rourke's term as the U.S. representative for Texas's 16th congressional district ended.

2020: Support for Medicare for America

During the 2020 presidential primary, O'Rourke backtracked from Medicare for All, instead supporting a proposal he called "Medicare for America".

2020: Endorsed Joe Biden

In 2020, Beto O'Rourke endorsed Joe Biden for president.

2020: Presidential Candidate

In 2020, Beto O'Rourke was a candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination.

March 1, 2022: Won Democratic Nomination for Texas Governor

On March 1, 2022, Beto O'Rourke won the Democratic nomination for the Texas gubernatorial election.

May 25, 2022: Confrontation with Greg Abbott after Robb Elementary School Shooting

On May 25, 2022, Beto O'Rourke confronted Texas Governor Greg Abbott during a press conference about the Robb Elementary School shooting, criticizing his inaction on gun control. The confrontation drew mixed reactions, with some condemning O'Rourke's actions as politicizing a tragedy.

December 20, 2022: Death of O'Rourke's Sister, Erin

On December 20, 2022, O'Rourke's sister, Erin, passed away at the age of 42. She had intellectual disabilities, and O'Rourke had previously been her legal guardian.

2022: Texas Gubernatorial Election Nominee

In 2022, Beto O'Rourke became the Democratic Party's nominee for the Texas gubernatorial election.

December 17, 2023: Death of O'Rourke's Mother

On December 17, 2023, O'Rourke's mother died from cancer.

February 2024: Support for "Uncommitted" Vote in Michigan Primary

In February 2024, O'Rouke expressed support of a campaign to vote "uncommitted" in the 2024 Michigan Democratic presidential primary, arguing it would put pressure on President Biden to bring an end to the Gaza war.