In packed campaign stop, O'Rourke highlights energy, the Port of Corpus Christi
The future lies in the Coastal Bend’s ability to couple oil and gas production with a burgeoning renewable energy sector, in the estimation of Beto O’Rourke.
O'Rourke is seeking the Democratic nomination to challenge Gov. Greg Abbott, a Republican who is looking for a third term. The Democratic and Republican primaries are March 1. Filing ends Dec. 13.
Addressing a crowd in a downtown Corpus Christi meet-and-greet, O’Rourke highlighted the region as being in a unique position to harness those opportunities, in part referencing the Port of Corpus Christi’s role as a strong economic and employment asset. The port is powered by renewable energy, he added, and is a major exporter of liquefied natural gas.
“Corpus Christi powers so much of the rest of the country,” O'Rourke told attendants in his appearance Thursday. “Corpus Christi powers so much of the rest of the world right now.”
Elaborating in a subsequent interview, O’Rourke described significant opportunity in expanding the current portfolio of energy production with the addition of renewable power generation — such as wind, geothermal and green hydrogen, which he described as being “a multitrillion-dollar economy in the years to come.”
“When it comes to energy, I think we all want to support the oil and gas jobs and the refining jobs that are here in this community,” he said. “But we also want to see more jobs, and I think we can support renewable energy.”
Three days prior, the former U.S. representative, presidential candidate and challenger to Sen. Ted Cruz made official his challenge to Abbott.
Appealing to voters in a 10-minute speech, O'Rourke's pitch — including signature issues of increasing educational support and expanding Medicaid — was delivered to a closely packed patio at La Playa by the Bay.
So, too, was his criticism of Abbott, including the governor’s recent backing of legislation that authorizes gun owners to carry firearms without a permit — a decision O’Rourke said endangers the public.
O'Rourke's visit drew enthusiastic supporters inside the event venue, as well as equally vocal opponents demonstrating outside of it along Water Street.
Protesters carried signs that took aim at O’Rourke, as well as President Joe Biden.
Earlier this month, Abbott was keynote speaker at what was dubbed the REDy Together rally — an event that focused largely on engaging Hispanic voters — organized by the Nueces County Republican Party.
Abbott had named among his victories the passage of the constitutional-carry gun law, which he described as protecting Second Amendment rights.
That event, too, brought out protesters.
O’Rourke’s Corpus Christi stop bookended one of the first legs of campaign events that have been scheduled statewide. Immediately preceding were visits to cities along the Texas-Mexico border — Laredo, McAllen and Brownsville.
In coming days, O’Rourke is expected to bring his bid for governor to cities that include Houston, Dallas and Abilene.
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Kirsten Crow covers government, industry and development in South Texas. Support local news by checking out our subscription options and special offers at Caller.com/subscribe.
This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: Beto O'Rourke brings campaign to Corpus Christi
