Linn County Supervisor Stacey Walker, right, listens as Beto O’Rourke answers a question during a podcast recording at the Raygun store Friday, March 15, 2019, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. (photo/Cindy Hadish)
Beto O’Rourke made the rounds at locally owned New Bohemia shops before settling down in front of a crowd of 200 at the Raygun store in Cedar Rapids.
Iowa for Beto shirts were sold at the Raygun store in Cedar Rapids. (photo/Cindy Hadish)
The former Texas congressman bought two record albums Friday, March 15, at the Analog Vault and popped into EduSkate on his first trip to Iowa as a Democratic presidential candidate.
O’Rourke, who gained attention in his close U.S. Senate race against Ted Cruz in the red state of Texas, said he kicked off his campaign Thursday in the small southeast Iowa town of Keokuk as a sign that people everywhere matter, including in “places that are often overlooked.”
Seating was limited in an upstairs room at Raygun in Cedar Rapids, where “Iowa for Beto” T-shirts were already being sold and one was printed on the spot for him.
O’Rourke spoke during the appearance as a guest on Little Village magazine’s Political Party Live podcast, hosted by Iowa City entrepreneur Simeon Talley and Linn County Supervisor Stacey Walker.
Beto O’Rourke meets with the audience after his Cedar Rapids appearance. (photo/Cindy Hadish)
Topics touched on his progressive political positions, including health care, allowing “Dreamers” to become citizens and acting to combat the threat of climate change.
“If we don’t act with everything we’ve got in the next 10 years, it will be far too late,” he said.
Audience members asked questions about education and mental health, women’s health, and how he would increase the number of refugees to the U.S.
O’Rourke also plans to campaign in Cedar Falls on behalf of Eric Giddens, the Democrat in the special election for Iowa State Senate District 30.
See photos from visits to Iowa by Sen. Kamala Harris, former Vice President Joe Biden and more from today’s stop by O’Rourke, below:
Beto O’Rourke speaks to Linda Fritts during his stop at Raygun in Cedar Rapids. (photo/Cindy Hadish)
Sofia Mehaffey asks a question about mental health during Beto O’Rourke’s visit to Cedar Rapids. (photo/Cindy Hadish)
A supporter wears a Beto for America pin. (photo/Cindy Hadish)
Simeon Talley, right, and Stacey Walker react to Beto O’Rourke’s answer to a question during a podcast recording March 15, 2019. (photo/Cindy Hadish)
Camera crews record Beto O’Rourke’s stop at the Raygun store in Cedar Rapids. (photo/Cindy Hadish)
Beto O’Rourke holds up a T-shirt printed on the spot for him at the Raygun store in Cedar Rapids. (photo/Cindy Hadish)
Raygun owner and founder Mike Draper speaks at the beginning of the forum at his Cedar Rapids store. (photo/Cindy Hadish)
Audience members react to Beto O’Rourke during a podcast recording at the Raygun store in Cedar Rapids. (photo/Cindy Hadish)
The crowd gathers for selfies with Beto O’Rourke during his stop in Cedar Rapids. (photo/Cindy Hadish)
Iowa political T-shirts are on display inside the Raygun store in Cedar Rapids. (photo/Cindy Hadish)
A line of people enter the Raygun store in New Bohemia to see Beto O’Rourke in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. (photo/Cindy Hadish)
Thanks, Cindy, for your excellent coverage. Was privileged to be at the event. Am happy that those who couldn’t, are able to feel almost like they were, via your always-accurate and reader-friendly blog. (Great photos, too.)
Thank you, Linda! It’s nice that Iowans can visit with candidates who answer their questions.
Fantastic pics, as always, Cindy! Thank you! Wish he would have chosen somewhere bigger!!
Thanks for your note, Cheri! I have a feeling he’ll be in those larger venues soon.