Presidential hopeful Beto O'Rourke makes campaign stop in Rock Hill

ROCK HILL, S.C. — Presidential candidates are already starting to campaign in our area ahead of next year's primaries.

Former Texas congressman Beto O'Rourke was at the Amélie's in Rock Hill Friday morning hoping to meet as many potential voters as possible.

The presidential hopeful is making his way across the state over the weekend with stops in Columbia, Orangeburg and Charleston.

South Carolina has one of the country's first presidential primaries so a win in the state will help candidates build momentum.

The crowds are showing up for Beto O’Rourke. It’s standing room only. Voters from Rock Hill, Charlotte, Waxhaw, Cornelius and Fort Mill are in the crowd.

Many say they’re drawn by his personality and want to know more about his policies on immigration and health care. @wsoctv pic.twitter.com/OhGdm9In5C
— Mark Barber (@MBarberWSOC9) March 22, 2019

O'Rourke became a national figure for Democrats during his unsuccessful bid to unseat Sen. Ted Cruz in November and announced he was running for president six days ago.

Initially, he was criticized for lacking specific policy plans, but at recent campaign stops, he has started making his stance on issues like immigration more clear.

O’Rourke promised the Rock Hill crowd on Friday he would make immigrants who were brought to the U.S. illegally as children citizens.

“Not only are those dreamers in our classrooms. They’re teaching in our classrooms. Not only are they defended by brave men and women serving all over the world in our armed forces, they’re serving all over the world in the armed forces,” he said to cheers.

During a press conference after the campaign stop, Channel 9 asked O’Rourke what makes him different from the other candidates.

“The way in which I’ve served. My story from the U.S., Mexico border; my ability to listen to people in English and Spanish; and the way I campaign, we’re bringing people together instead of tearing them down,” he said.

Voters like Tonya Williamson said she’ll be listening closely to all the candidates to find the right one.

“I haven’t made up my mind, but I’m definitely interested in what Beto can bring,” she said.

Whoever wins the Democratic primary will face a challenge when taking on President Donald Trump in the heavily Republican state.

A recent poll by Winthrop University shows Trump has a 42 percent approval rating in South Carolina, which is a few points higher than the national average, according to Gallup.

All eyes will be on the outcome of South Carolina's Democratic primary because political experts said it will be the nation's first indicator of how minorities will vote.

O’Rourke isn’t the only Democratic presidential hopeful who will be in Rock Hill on Saturday. Cory Booker is also planning to visit Freedom Temple Ministries at 11:30 a.m, and South Bend, Indiana Mayor Pete Buttigieg will visit Clinton College at 5:15 p.m.

Cox Media Group