On Tuesday, Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate Beto O'Rourke visited Waco to participate in a discussion hosted by the a Texas newspaper.
The U.S. Representative answered questions during a conversation with the Texas Tribune's CEO Evan Smith.
More than 200 people attended the event, which took place a day after Sen. Ted Cruz attended a re-election campaign event in McGregor.
O'Rourke announced his campaign raised 6.7 million in three months without funds from corporations or political action committees.
“We were able to run with nothing to lose. To do this the right way and have the courage of our convictions and know the most important test for us, for me and for my wife, Amy, was the ability to look at our kids in the eye after this is over and know that we had done this the right way,” O’Rourke said.
McLennan Community College Student Margaret Tippie is in support of the grassroots fundraising.
“I think it’s great he is not taking any PAC money. I really like a lot of things that he has to say and I think it’s really important to learn both sides, Democratic, Republican, and Independent… to make the best decision for yourself,” Tippie said.
She is also in favor of O’Rourke’s proposal to increase funding for public education and require universal background checks for guns.
The student is still considering his other ideas, such as banning bump stocks and AR-15s.
“This is time for Texas to lead on making sure that weapons of war are not sold to people where they are turned around and used in our churches, schools and concerts, taking the lives of those in this great state,” O’Rourke said.
The congressman said those precautions can help protect the lives of Americans while protecting our second amendment rights.
"All of our rights are not without limits. You cannot yell fire in a crowded movie theater, even though your right to free speech is protected by the first amendment,” O’Rourke said.
He also discussed his views on immigration reform, which don’t involve building a border wall with Mexico. In addition, he said he wants to protect undocumented immigrants who were brought to the country illegally by the parents from being deported.
To secure the border, he proposes to support our border patrol, custom officers and invest in our ports of entry.
The El Paso native also mentioned he wants to raise the taxes of wealthier Americans who fall under the highest income bracket and corporations. He said this would fund broadband, healthcare and public education.
Copyright 2018 KXXV. All rights reserved.
