Former Texas Congressman Beto O’Rourke held a town hall-style event in Philadelphia this past Friday evening, attracting over 300 attendees.
This gathering is part of a growing trend of out-of-state Democrats engaging with Pennsylvania voters ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
During the event, O’Rourke criticized the Trump administration and engaged in discussions surrounding essential issues such as voting rights, health care, and the ongoing war in Gaza.
O’Rourke highlighted progressive figures like Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Sen. Bernie Sanders, asserting, “Everything he’s been saying for as long as he’s been saying it, it just turns out he was 100% right.”
He also expressed admiration for New York’s newly elected Democratic primary winner for mayor, Zohran Mamdani, calling him “one of the most exciting political leaders that I have seen in my life.”
Beto O’Rourke, a former punk rock bassist turned politician, previously represented El Paso in Congress for six years.
He rose to national prominence in 2018 after a narrow defeat to Republican Sen. Ted Cruz in Texas, managing to amass record fundraising through grassroots contributions.
Although he attempted to run for President in 2020, O’Rourke dropped out prior to the primary.
His Philadelphia appearance follows visits from other prominent Democrats like Rep. Ro Khanna of California and Sen. Ruben Gallego of Arizona, all of whom are potentially positioning themselves for future electoral races.
Reflecting on the 2024 election cycle, O’Rourke stated that Democrats did a disservice to President Joe Biden by allowing him to campaign for a second term against Donald Trump.
He claimed that many believed Biden was fit to run, but in hindsight, he regretted not voicing his concerns about this decision.
Responding to an audience member who questioned why he didn’t speak up, O’Rourke elaborated on his choice to support Biden’s candidacy despite his reservations.
He pointed out that Democrats often emphasized the importance of saving democracy, yet many Americans felt increasingly disenfranchised.
O’Rourke highlighted the impact of the Citizens United v. Federal Elections Commission decision, which lifted limits on independent expenditures by corporations and individuals, questioning the fairness of such a system.
“Is this a democracy where one person named Elon Musk can spend $300 million to purchase the outcome of a presidential election?” he asked, reflecting on the growing perception of inequality in the political process.
During the event, O’Rourke addressed the challenge Democrats face in engaging younger voters.
University of Pittsburgh student and College Democrats president Andrew Wise pointed out that, while young voters largely sided with Democrats in 2024, there was a noticeable shift toward Republicans compared to the previous presidential election.
O’Rourke acknowledged that Democrats had failed to effectively connect with younger constituents and suggested that party leaders should listen to young voices like Wise’s.
He emphasized the importance of utilizing modern communication methods, such as social media and podcasts, to reach younger audiences more effectively.
In contrast to traditional media appearances, O’Rourke highlighted the need for Democrats to engage with voters in spaces where they are comfortable.
He mentioned the success of Mamdani, who harnessed social media to propel his primary run, indicating that this approach could serve as a model for future candidates.
“This may be too obvious, but why don’t we follow young leaders like you who are the age of the people that we’re trying to reach?” he suggested to Wise.
Post-event, Wise expressed his appreciation for O’Rourke’s message, stating it resonated with the average American and highlighted a populist approach that had been lost.
He further articulated that former President Donald Trump had effectively connected with younger voters by utilizing emerging platforms.
“He got out there and he talked to people and he didn’t say, ‘Oh, this isn’t the traditional media ecosystem,'” Wise noted, stressing the importance of meeting potential voters in their environments.
As the town hall unfolded, O’Rourke allowed for candid dialogue about international issues, particularly the U.S. role in the ongoing Gaza conflict.
He characterized the U.S. as complicit in the situation, citing the high civilian death toll and emphasizing the need for accountability.
O’Rourke remarked, “The death toll is now over 50,000 people – the vast majority of them completely innocent of any crime or participation in any war or any act of terrorism, of them children.”
His statement was met with applause from the audience, although not all attendees were in agreement with his sentiment.
Philadelphia resident Barry Silber expressed disappointment with O’Rourke’s comments for failing to acknowledge other conflicts worldwide and the complexities surrounding them.
Silber voiced concerns over the focus on Israel, saying, “There was no mention of Hamas. There’s no mention of the Uyghurs in concentration camps. No mention of the Syrian Civil War.”
O’Rourke also expressed support for the “uncommitted” movement in the 2024 Michigan Democratic presidential primary, arguing that it could leverage pressure on President Biden to address the Gaza conflict more proactively.
Attendee Muffie Silber, who identifies as a progressive, concluded that she would consider supporting O’Rourke should he choose to run for president in 2028.
Reflecting on his prior campaign strategy, she commended his refusal to accept PAC money, considering it a testament to a different way of conducting politics that could resonate with voters.
image source from：whyy
