austin texas punk rocker-turned-congressman texas announce candidacy u.s. senate seat hold republican ted cruz friday make first prominent democrat challenge former presidential candidate robert francis beto rourke spanish-speaking irish-american represent predominantly latino district include border city el paso consider long shoot republican-dominated state analysts say reuters connecticut may become first state allow deadly police drone wayward tabby return denver home 800-mile adventure british robot help autistic children social skills rourke outsider credentials expect add flair 2018 senate race texas democrat state-wide election 20 years beto short name spanish roberto cruz win get national fundraise network money world say cal jillson political science professor southern methodist university dallas campaign launch el paso show facebook live ivy-league educate rourke 44 pledge fight veterans shun corporate money serve two term senate elect say people best interest fresh blood congress rourke play guitar provide vocals punk band foss 1990s also take shoot republican president donald trump hard-line stance immigration vow fight necessary president focus build wall conduct military immigrant round-ups rourke republican congressman hurd texas gain attention social media early month live-streaming journey make together texas washington bill 1,600-mile bipartisan road trip rent car take trip due winter storm shut east coast airports poll rate cruz popular politician state among texans rourke much political support outside base el paso western texas city close san diego california houston another possible challenger cruz democratic u.s. representative joaquin castro analysts say ahead rourke announcement texas republican governor greg abbott announce endorse cruz cruz backers late send fundraise email say rourke touch texas value beto rourke full support mainstream media washington establishment will everything power see ted cruz defeat email say story refiled add drop word second paragraph ex-punk rocker challenge ted cruz senate