Skip to content
RollCall logo

Podcasts

Beto O’Rourke: Not Just Another Bassist From El Paso

Political Theater Podcast, Episode 36

Rep. Beto O'Rourke, D-Texas, puts on his tie as Rep. Will Hurd, R-Texas, speaks with reporters as they arrive at the Capitol just in time for votes on Wednesday, March 15, 2017. O'Rourke has turned heads with his competitive race against Sen. Ted Cruz, but his political ascent did not come out of nowhere. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call file photo)
Rep. Beto O'Rourke, D-Texas, puts on his tie as Rep. Will Hurd, R-Texas, speaks with reporters as they arrive at the Capitol just in time for votes on Wednesday, March 15, 2017. O'Rourke has turned heads with his competitive race against Sen. Ted Cruz, but his political ascent did not come out of nowhere. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call file photo)
By Jason Dick
Posted September 12, 2018 at 1:45pm

Rep. Beto O’Rourke has gained rock star status as an insurgent liberal candidate running against the established Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas, but, but, but, says Nathan L. Gonzales, Roll Call’s elections analyst and the publisher of Inside Elections, O’Rourke’s rise to national prominence did not happen overnight or come out of nowhere. 

Listen here:

Show Notes: 

 

 

Subscribe on iTunesListen on StitcherListen on RADiO PUBLiC

 

Recent Stories

A presidential seal from the podium is packed away after President Trump canceled a housing bill signing event in National Statuary Hall in the Capitol on Wednesday.

Trump halts bipartisan victory lap on housing

Rep. Jeff Crank, seen here at a House Armed Services Committee markup last year, is serving his first term in Congress. But the Colorado Republican first worked at the Capitol back in the 1990s.

How Crank got a stack of political cartoons and a ‘great name’

House Financial Services Chairman French Hill, R-Ark., pictured with Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., talks to reporters about the housing bill on May 15. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call)

Housing bill cleared for Trump’s signature after winding journey

Maryland Rep. April McClain Delaney prevailed in her Democratic primary on Tuesday. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call file photo)

McClain Delaney defeats predecessor Trone in Maryland primary

New York Democrats Adriano Espaillat, left, and Dan Goldman are the latest House lawmakers to lose a primary this year.

Goldman, Espaillat lose New York primaries to Mamdani-backed challengers

Bill Pulte, acting director of national intelligence, pictured on Feb. 27, 2025, began work at his new position Friday.

Days into his new job, Pulte raises eyebrows in Senate