LAMPASAS, Texas — Democratic candidate for governor Beto O’Rourke is on a 49-day tour of Texas. On Thursday, O’Rourke stopped in Lampasas and Pflugerville.
It was pouring rain when O’Rourke walked into a crowded cafeteria in Lampasas. The candidate received a standing ovation from the crowd.
“I want to thank God for opening up the skies and letting this rain fall down right now. This is what we need in this part of Texas today,” O’Rourke said.
The candidate said he’d like to raise the age to buy an AR-15 rifle from 18 to 21, impose red flag laws and have universal background checks for gun purchases. He noted that he’s visited Uvalde five times since the May 24 tragedy.
“What we see happening in Texas today, that is not who we are,” O’Rourke said. “Five of the deadliest mass shootings in U.S. history have taken place in this state in just the last five years. We either accept that Texans are somehow inherently violent and murderous and just love to shoot each other up or that there is something we can do to address this, to defend the Second Amendment, while still protecting the lives of those kids in our classrooms.”
O’Rourke also spoke about issues related to marijuana, abortion, teachers and veterans.
Patrick Davis is a 20-year-retired combat veteran. He described himself as an independent who came to the rally to learn. He wanted to see the candidate speak and decide for himself who to vote for, instead of listening to outside influences.
“My vote is my vote. Nobody needs to know who I’m going to vote for,” Davis said.
Davis said he’d never been to a politician’s event before, but he wanted to see O’Rourke speak because “he seems pretty legit.”
The crowd included some supporters of Gov. Greg Abbott. They held signs that read “Beto! A red wave is coming” and “Keep it red.” Davis said it was impressive that O’Rourke showed up to Lampasas, even if there are some outspoken opponents.
“That means a lot,” Davis said.
Elizabeth Gilbert is also a veteran. She supports O’Rourke’s ideas about gun legislation and women’s rights. She’s trying to convince her husband, who votes Republican, to choose O’Rourke over Abbott.
“Don’t take these women’s rights away from your daughter,” Gilbert said, describing what she’s said to her husband.
The candidate said all women, and especially those who have served this country, deserve abortion access.
“If we want to thank them for what they’ve done, let’s make sure that they are treated fully and equally under the law. And that means protecting their right to make their own decisions about their own body,” O’Rourke said.
Gilbert gave $20 to O’Rourke’s campaign. She said it was to help him pay for gas on his 49-day drive through Texas.
Davis supported the Democratic candidate by purchasing a shirt for his wife. He even got a picture and an autograph, making it pretty clear who he’s supporting this November.
“I don’t want to tell nobody, but you’ve got to know,” he said with a smile. “If I’m getting an autograph, you already know.”