Beto O'Rourke, democrat candidates stop in Austin

AUSTIN, Texas - With about two months left until the mid-term election statewide candidates are taking every opportunity they can to spread their messages.

Democrat candidates met Monday morning in Austin.

Candidate for Lieutenant Governor Mike Collier, Attorney General candidate Justin Nelson, candidate for Governor, Lupe Valdez, and U.S. Senate candidate Beto O'Rourke all spoke at the Texas Disabilities Issues Forum in Austin.

"Our message is going out. Our message is for the everyday Texan," said Valdez.

Valdez addressed the crowd on issues like special and public education, something she is passionate about.

"We need to continually put funds into public education so that all people will have a fighting chance," said Valdez.

U.S. Representative and Senate candidate Beto O'Rourke stopped at the event, before heading to several same day events in Austin.

"This is a very powerful, positive day and event. I’m here with some all-time civil rights heroes," said O’Rourke.

The congressman has gained more money, and traction after a response to the national anthem protests, went viral on social media.

"The fact they are doing this non-violently, using their privilege and position, and the focus is on them on Sunday when they are playing football, to bring our attention and awake our conscious on something that's so important..I think that's the essence of who we are as Americans," said O’Rourke.

The congressman is running against current U.S. Senator Ted Cruz.

"He has given Ted Cruz another issue he can use against him. All Beto needs to do is look at the Cowboys.  They were the first team to say our players are not going to protest during the national anthem period. That's because the Dallas Cowboys understand Texas and Texans. Beto O’Rourke has taken a position, 20 percent of the state agrees with," said Matt Mackowiak, republican consultant.

O’Rourke believes he has a strong chance the latest poll from Emerson College puts him at just one point under Cruz.

"Two months to go, before the first vote is cast on Oct. 22, the first day of early voting. Because of the people including the people of Austin, I feel very good about our chances," said O’Rourke.

Mackowiak said he gives O’Rourke credit for raising money and gaining traction. However he does feel O’Rourke will lose, and the the other candidates on the democrat side have small chances of victories.

"Pretty much all the other statewide candidates on the democratic side have raised very little money, they have gotten very little traction, they don’t really have a ground game," said Mackowiak.