PLANO – Under a scorching near-100 degree heat, around 300 attendees gathered at Plano’s ArtCentre to watch presidential candidate Beto O’Rourke speak, in front of signs reading “Welcome to Beto Country.” 

O’Rourke, introduced by candidate for Texas House District 67 Jenna Royal, spoke on issues related to mental illness and healthcare, climate change, criminal justice reform, immigration and gun violence after the Democratic presidential debate on Thursday in Houston. 

He was critical of Democrats who have taken more moderate stances in efforts to appeal to a larger base of voters; he opted for firmer stances instead.

“I’m a lifelong Democrat,” O’Rourke said. “But for too long, Democrats have played defense. Just like Lucy with the football, every time we put our best foot forward, in the spirit of consensus and compromise, we lose … We will commit to having the courage of our convictions, laying out what we believe and what we fight for.”

O’Rourke’s calls for a more forceful Democratic presence are most notably exemplified through his proposal of a government buyback policy of assault weapons. When speaking to reporters after the rally, he said the ban would be enacted through a law passed by Congress, not executive order.

“I understand that there are some who are worried about what the NRA is going to do, what the Republican Party is going to have to say,” O’Rourke said to reporters. “I’m more concerned about those families who survived these horrific shootings.”

The plan has proved controversial both among voters and other candidates, but was met with cheers of “Hell yes!” during Sunday’s rally. 

O’Rourke called out President Trump’s rhetoric relating to immigration and the Hispanic community, in addition to some Trump administration immigration policies.

“[President Trump] has the blood of those 22 [El Paso shooting victims] on his hands,” O’Rourke said. “We don’t need another mile of walls. We don’t need another child in a cage. We will reunite every single family.”

He also called for immediate climate action and freedom from dependence on fossil fuels. 

“We need the resolve and ingenuity that should distinguish America [to combat climate change],” O’Rourke said. 

O’Rourke pointed out he is the first Democrat to win the majority of votes in neighboring Tarrant County since 1994 and that Texas has 38 electoral votes to cast.

He remains at a 3% national polling average against other Democratic presidential contenders, but seems to retain a charm amongst his supporters. 

“He has a conviction for his ideas,” rally attendee Michael Dwinnell said. “When you hear him, he’s impassioned. He cares. He listens to anyone who talks.” 

People with a variety of ages were present in the crowd, holding signs and chanting alike. 

“We’re looking to expose to [our kids] what the political system looks like and if they want to make a difference,” rally attendee Katy Parish from Wylie, TX said. “I have been [an O’Rourke supporter] since he ran last year. I love everything he stands for and that he’s not afraid to put it out there, despite great political risk.”