Beto O'Rourke not ruling out 2020 presidential bid after close Texas Senate race

AUSTIN, Texas -- Beto O'Rourke isn't ruling out a potential 2020 presidential run.

Asked about one at a Monday town hall in his native El Paso, the three-term Democratic congressman described vacationing last week with his family, something he said he wasn't able to do for the past 18-plus months while challenging Texas Republican Sen. Ted Cruz.

O'Rourke lost by about 3 points, close enough in deep-red Texas to spark speculation he could try for the White House.

He said he's focused on his family and representing his district until leaving the House on Jan. 3. But after that, he and his wife will "think about what we can do next to contribute to the best of our ability to this community."

O'Rourke then grinned at his wife, Amy, asking, "Was that OK?"

The shift is remarkably different from O'Rourke's sentiment on the day before the election three weeks ago.

Beto O'Rourke asked about 2020 run day before election

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In this 2018 profile video, Beto O'Rourke was introduced as the Democratic party's hope to help color Texas blue.