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Beto O’Rourke to seek the Democratic presidential nomination, TV station and source say

Click to play video: 'Beto O’Rourke: cities along U.S.-Mexico border safer than ones in the interior'
Beto O’Rourke: cities along U.S.-Mexico border safer than ones in the interior
Feb. 11: Former Texas Democratic Senate candidate Beto O'Rourke held a rally Monday night in El Paso, in which he said that violent crime is lower in cities along the U.S.-Mexico border than it is in other cities further inland – Feb 11, 2019

Beto O’Rourke will seek the Democratic nomination to run for U.S. president, a source close to his campaign and an El Paso TV station said Wednesday.

O’Rourke, a former congressman who lost a Texas Senate seat to incumbent Ted Cruz in the 2018 midterm elections, confirmed his run in a text to NBC affiliate station KTSM.

READ MORE: Beto O’Rourke has made a decision about seeking the Democratic presidential nomination

“I’m really proud of what El Paso did and what El Paso represents,” he wrote.

“It’s a big part of why I’m running. This city is the best example of this country at its best.”

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WATCH: Feb. 11 — Beto O’Rourke says Trump offered ‘lies’ during SOTU ‘about El Paso being dangerous’

Click to play video: 'Beto O’Rourke says Trump offered ‘lies’ during SOTU ‘about El Paso being dangerous’'
Beto O’Rourke says Trump offered ‘lies’ during SOTU ‘about El Paso being dangerous’

Meanwhile, a source tied to O’Rourke’s campaign confirmed to Reuters that the ex-congressman would be running.

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The candidate is expected to officially announce his run on Thursday morning.

WATCH: Supporters of Beto O’Rourke gear up to host a rally in El Paso, Texas

Click to play video: 'Supporters of Beto O’Rourke gear up to host a rally in El Paso, Texas'
Supporters of Beto O’Rourke gear up to host a rally in El Paso, Texas

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