Politics
Beto O’Rourke Is Reportedly ‘Pea Green with Envy’ Over Rising-Star Texas Democrat James Talarico
Beto O’Rourke is no longer the shining star of the Texas Democratic Party — and “he’s not thrilled about it,” Rob Shuter reported in his Naughty But Nice Substack on Thursday, March 5.
James Talarico, who just beat Jasmine Crockett in the Democratic Senate Primary, has been dubbed “Beto 2.0” because of his campaign’s similarities to O’Rourke’s 2018 Senate run, in which he nearly unseated incumbent Republican Ted Cruz.
And while the 2020 presidential candidate has publicly praised Talarico, 36, he’s “pea green with envy” behind the scenes, a Democratic insider told Shuter.
“He used to be the future of the party,” noted the insider. “Now everyone’s talking about Talarico.”
“James has the energy Beto had in 2018,” another strategist said. “Young, telegenic, great on social media — and donors love him.”
Still, O’Rourke, 53, didn’t endorse Talarico or Crockett, calling them both “generational talents,” per the Dallas Morning News, and insisting that he would instead turn his focus on boosting voter turnout among young people.
But the former congressman’s decision not to back Talarico when he had the chance raised eyebrows in the party, Shuter reported.
“That silence said everything,” one Texas operative told Naughty But Nice. “The torch is passing, and Beto knows it.”
