In Omaha visit, Beto O'Rourke rallies Nebraska Dems to be 'ruthless' in pursuit of power

[Omaha Steve]

Source: Omaha World Herald

Dan Crisler Aug 6, 2025 Updated 5 mins ago

Former U.S. Rep. Beto O’Rourke urged Nebraska Democrats to take the gloves off and fight ruthlessly to win power during a spirited town hall Tuesday night.

For about 90 minutes, O’Rourke repeatedly elicited raucous cheers from more than 500 people who gathered inside a conference center on the University of Nebraska at Omaha’s Scott Campus to listen to the Texas Democrat.

For too long, O’Rourke said, Democrats have always been more focused on coloring inside the lines and being right at the expense of being in power, unlike their Republican counterparts. Without being in power, O’Rourke said, Democrats will not be able to help everyday Americans on issues including raising the federal minimum wage from $7.25 per hour, health care and affordable housing.

“Unless we get serious about power — and I think we have to be absolutely ruthless in our pursuit of it — we’re going to see bad things happen to good people across this country,” O’Rourke said in an interview.




Beto O'Rourke, former Texas congressman, speaks during a town hall at University of Nebraska at Omaha's Scott Conference Center on Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2025.
NIKOS FRAZIER, THE WORLD-HERALD

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