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Beto O'Rourke Updates JFK in Message to Dems: 'Bear Any Burden' to Help Me Win

Beto O'Rourke / Getty
October 16, 2018

Democratic Senate candidate Rep. Beto O'Rourke (Texas) told reporters on Monday that he will not share his whopping $38.1 million fundraising haul with fellow Democrats.

O'Rourke told reporters his refusal to share his campaign dollars with other Democratic candidates stems from a need to "deliver" for Texas and the country, the Washington Examiner reported.

"No," O'Rourke answered when asked if he would share his fundraising haul. "I'm focused on Texas. Most of our contributions have come from Texas. All of them have come from people. Not a dime from PACs."

O'Rourke added that if people wanted to donate to other campaigns, they can do so.

"Folks contributed to this race because they want us to win this race. If they want to contribute to another campaign, of course they're welcome to do that," O'Rourke said. "No, we're going to spare no expense. We will bear any burden to make sure that we deliver for this state and for this country. That means a victory on the 6th of November."

Some Democrats have worried about O'Rourke leaving money in his war chest after the election that could have gone to more vulnerable Democrats in the Senate. Since Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh's hearings, polls have shown a bump in enthusiasm for GOP voters, especially for GOP Senate candidates.

"I've got to honor the commitment that those who've contributed to this campaign have made to me, and their desire that we use this to win this election," O'Rourke said. "If they want to contribute to someone else, they should do so. If they want to contribute to a campaign that's going to win this historic victory for Texas and the country, then I'm grateful for the contribution and I'm going to make the most of it, so that's what we're focused on."

Despite the huge fundraising numbers, O'Rourke trails in the polls against incumbent Sen. Ted Cruz (R). The RealClearPolitics average of polls has Cruz with a 7 point lead.

The Texas Democrat has been the recipient of numerous glossy profile pieces and national media attention for running a progressive campaign in red state like Texas. O'Rourke has advocated for gun control and has backed protests during the national anthem. In a BBC interview, he refused to disavow socialism.

O'Roruke and Cruz are scheduled to face off in a debate Tuesday night.