Beto O'Rourke to teach at Texas State during spring 2021 semester

Democratic Senatorial candidate Beto O'Rourke, who became a well-known political figure on the national stage via a relatively close race in Texas running against incumbent Ted Cruz in 2018, will teach a course at Texas State University this spring.

A press release issued by Texas State on Oct. 16 announced O'Rourke will be teaching a class on Texas politics for the spring 2021 semester.

The release states O'Rourke will be an adjunct lecturer teaching PS 4325, or Texas Politics, which will feature remote classes as well as 15% in-person instruction.

"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, in the release.

Following his 2018 senatorial bid, O'Rourke ran for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination before suspending his campaign in November 2019, and he served as U.S. Representative for the 16th congressional district that includes El Paso from 2012-18.

The release adds that before being elected to Congress, O'Rourke served on El Paso City Council from 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, in the release.