In a region known for its deep-red political leanings, former U.S. Representative Beto O’Rourke drew a crowd of more than 700 people to a town hall meeting Saturday in Amarillo. Held in a packed indoor ballroom, the event brought together a politically diverse audience—Democrats, Republicans, and Independents alike.
O’Rourke said the turnout in Potter County, which voted more than 80% for Donald Trump in the last presidential election, underscores a growing urgency among voters across the political spectrum.
The event focused on what O’Rourke described as threats to core public programs, including proposed cuts to veterans’ benefits, Medicaid, and Social Security. Teachers in the audience voiced concerns about limited classroom resources and warned of further strain from Governor Greg Abbott’s push for private school voucher programs.
One moment that stood out came when a young mother spoke about how potential state-level cuts to programs for children with disabilities would affect her daughter, who attends school in Canyon. When asked when the next Canyon ISD board meeting was, she told the audience it would be Monday at 7 p.m. O’Rourke then asked how many attendees would be willing to show up in support. Dozens of hands went up.
O’Rourke, who has held similar town halls in both rural and urban communities across Texas, emphasized the importance of engaging directly with constituents regardless of the political makeup of a county.
The Amarillo event was part of O’Rourke’s ongoing effort to hold open town halls across Texas through his organization, Powered by People.
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