ICYMI: Ted Cruz Challenger Beto O'Rourke For U.S. Senate Visits Round Rock

ROUND ROCK, TX — Congressman Beto O'Rourke, who has expressed his interest in pursuing the U.S. Senate seat now held by Sen. Ted Cruz, is scheduled to be in Round Rock on Friday, the Williamson County Democratic Party said.

A meet-and-greet session is scheduled at The Scarlet Rabbit in Round Rock, located at 410 W. Main St. on Friday, April 21, beginning at 6:30 p.m., Williamson County Party Chair John Bucy told Patch via email.

“Here in Williamson County we’ve seen a real building of momentum for Democrats in historically Republican districts both in city council and county commissioners seats," Bucy said. "Today’s Texas Lycecum poll that puts Congressman O’ Rourke tied in a head-to-head with Sen. Cruz and Mike Collier ahead of [Texas Lieutenant Governor] Dan Patrick is really just evidence of what we’re feeling on the ground here at the grassroots level.”

Bucy referred to a poll released Wednesday by the Texas Lyceum nonprofit that surveyed 1,000 state residents. In it, Cruz, a Republican, and O'Rourke were tied with endorsement of 30 percent of respondents each. Another politician who has hinted of a run against Cruz, Joaquin Castro of San Antonio, was favored by 35 percent of respondents.

See also: Race For U.S. Senate Seat From Texas Heats Up As Ted Cruz Challenger Throws Hat In Ring

Castro has served in the U.S. House of Representatives for the state's 20th congressional district since 2013. For his part, El Paso, Texas, native O'Rourke is U.S. Representative for Texas's 16th congressional district that encompasses his hometown.

The Texas Lyceum poll also revealed that Patrick and his Democratic challenger, Collier of Houston, are in a dead heat for the lieutenant governor's position. The gap between their supporters falls within the poll's margin of error if the 2018 race were held today.

A caveat, however: Those checking the "not thought about it" category when asked about the Patrick-Collier match-up outpaced both candidates at 46 percent.

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