MIAMI -- In just about 24 hours, the two Texans trying to become the next president of the United States will take the stage in Miami for the first debate of the 2020 Democratic primary.
- Julian Castro, Beto O'Rourke part of 1st Democratic debate
- Both lagging in polls
- Both to appear Wednesday night
Beto O'Rourke and Julian Castro need to have a “moment.” Both are lagging in the latest polls, and in a crowded field of 24 candidates, attracting some attention is critical.
Twenty of the 24 Democratic candidates made the cut for the first debates, which take place Wednesday and Thursday. They'll be split into 10 and 10 for each night.
Out of the luck of the draw, both Texans will appear on night one. Here’s a look back at how they got to this point.
Castro:
"I am a candidate for president of the United States of America,” Castro proclaimed back in January.
Castro was the first Texan to kick off his 2020 campaign for president. The former HUD secretary and San Antonio mayor stood before a crowd of supporters in his hometown and vowed to be the anti-Trump.
"We're going to make sure that the promise of America is available to everyone in this 21st century,” he said.
Since his campaign launch, Castro has been working to hit all 50 states and has unveiled policy proposals through what he's calling his People First Plan.
He was the first to put out an immigration platform -- one that would dramatically reduce immigration enforcement.
"I'm calling on Americans to choose compassion, not cruelty," he said during a CNN town hall.
He's also announced sweeping plans on education, housing and fixing America's policing.
But despite his ambitious platforms, Castro has struggled to gain any traction in early primary polling.
"Right now they're just ignoring me,” he joked back in February.
The other Texan in the race hasn't done him any favors.
"Of course, I'd rather be the only Democrat running from Texas," Castro said.
O’Rourke:
The other Texan being former El Paso Rep. Beto O'Rourke.
"I'm running to serve you as the next president of the United states of America,” he said in his video campaign announcement with his wife Amy by his side.
Coming off a closer-than-expected U.S. Senate race against Ted Cruz that had the whole country watching, O’Rourke’s 2020 bid got immediate national attention, and all the media hype that follows.
He started off strong in early polling and popped up on tables during packed town halls.
But some early comments about his wife raising their kids, sometimes with his help, earned O'Rourke immediate backlash for being a privileged white male.
“It came off kind of flip,” he told reporters during a campaign stop.
Still, he's soldiered on, fighting to make a comeback in the very crowded and diverse field of candidates.
He's rolled out seven policy platforms which include plans to reform the immigration system, make voting easier, combating climate change, and providing help for veterans.
Come Wednesday night, both Texans will once again take the national stage and both are hoping to have that stand-out moment that propels them into the top tier of the 2020 field of contenders.
Thomas M. Holbrook, Political Science Professor at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee says small positive moments could help the candidates breakout among the crowded field.
Click the video link above to watch the full interview with Holbrook, including his thoughts on what Democrats would have to do to win back the part of the Midwest that allowed President Trump to claim victory in 2016.