Beto O'Rourke to teach political course at Texas State in spring 2021

Inside TXST

Jayme Blaschke | October 16, 2020

beto headshot
Beto O'Rourke

Beto O'Rourke, former presidential and senate candidate as well as former U.S. Representative for the 16th Congressional District of Texas, will teach a class on Texas politics at Texas State University in spring 2021, pending finalization of his hire.

As an adjunct lecturer, O'Rourke will teach the course PS 4325 (Texas Politics), a synchronous online class that will feature remote lectures with up to 15% of instruction delivered in-person, COVID-19 permitting.

"Having Beto O’Rourke teaching Texas Politics will give Texas State students a unique opportunity to learn about some of the major institutions, issues, personalities, challenges and opportunities in our political system from the perspective of an experienced elected public servant," said Gene Bourgeois, provost and vice president for academic affairs at Texas State.  

O'Rourke brings first-hand experience to the classroom. He ran for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination before suspending his campaign in Nov. 2019. Prior to that, he gained national attention in his 2018 senate race against incumbent Ted Cruz, narrowly losing despite setting a record for the most votes ever cast for a Democrat in Texas history. O'Rourke served as U.S. Representative for the 16th congressional district in Texas 2012-2018. Before being elected to congress, O'Rourke served on the El Paso City Council June 2005-June 2011.

"I thought it would be a great idea to have a former congressman, a former senatorial candidate teaching, just like (former U.S. Ambassador) Bob Krueger, who taught here after he served in the senate," said Ken Grasso, chair of the Department of Political Science.

O'Rourke attended Columbia University and graduated in 1995 with a degree in English literature. Upon graduation, O'Rourke co-founded Stanton Street Technology, an internet services and software company, in El Paso.

For more information, contact University Communications:

Jayme Blaschke, 512-245-2555

Sandy Pantlik, 512-245-2922