Beto’s Drive For Texas Campaign to Make Palo Pinto County Stop

By Amy Bearden
Gubernatorial candidate Beto O’Rourke will visit more than 70 cities across Texas in a state wide campaign where he will drive more than 5,600 miles in 49 days highlighting his campaign to beat Gov. Greg Abbott.
According to a release, O’Rourke will visit every part of the state this summer and hold 70 public events in more than 65 counties.

One of those counties includes Palo Pinto and as part of his ‘Drive for Texas,’ campaign, Beto O’Rourke will host a town hall in Mineral Wells.
“The Palo Pinto Democratic Party, headquartered in downtown Mineral Wells, is excited for the opportunity to welcome Beto O’Rourke back to Mineral Wells. I hope that all of Palo Pinto County residents regardless of Party affiliation will plan on attending to hear Beto and will unite around the popular things that we all desire for our families: creating great jobs, investing in world-class schools, protecting Social Security, and expanding healthcare so more people can afford to see a doctor,” said Carla Schoonover-Porter, Democratic Chairperson of Palo Pinto County.

No one has worked harder to convince O’Rourke to make a stop in the community and recently at the Texas Democratic Convention, in his opening remarks about his party, O’Rourke praised the county Democrats for being persistent and convincing. He did not mention any other county in his remarks. A point worth noting the tenacity of the group working with Porter.


“To my friends in Palo Pinto County who show up at every event in every other county until we commit to see you in Palo Pinto County, which we will be at in the next 30 days. You are the spirit of this moment absolutely undefeatable, persistent, courageous and you will work until we win,” said O’Rourke.
The Town Hall style event event is scheduled for August 10 at 5:30pm and will be held in the ballroom of The Crazy Water Plaza. The PPC Democrats are looking for volunteers to help facilitate the event. Sign Up to Volunteer for Beto
Porter says she is also looking forward to introducing the first Democrat candidate to run for office in Palo Pinto County in more than 10 years at this event.
Luis Rodriguez announced his run for Justice of the Peace Precinct 5 back in January of 2022 and with more than 16 years’ experience in law enforcement she believes this makes him the ideal candidate. He previously worked as a Palo Pinto County Sheriff’s Deputy and then was elected County Constable in 2005. He has lived in Mineral Wells for more than 50 years, raised his three children and his grandchildren here.
“Luis Rodriguez has decided to continue serving his community and believes that he will be the candidate to show our community that Democrats are hardworking and community minded. He wants to help our kids, teachers, and first responders, she said. Luis has common sense with issues that are important to rural Texas that include family values and building up and supporting our neighbors,” said Porter.

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