Lubbock BBQ
![Supporters hold up signs for U.S. Rep. Beto O'Rourke as he walks into the restaurant during a campaign stop Monday, July 3, 2017, at J&M Bar-B-Q in Lubbock, Texas. O'Rourke is a democrat running for the senate seat held by Ted Cruz. (Brad Tollefson/The Texas Observer)](https://i0.wp.com/www.bradtollefson.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/2017-07-03-Beto-ORourke-BBQ-01.jpg?resize=1024%2C743)
![U.S. Rep. Beto O'Rourke shakes hands with a supporter while entering the restaurant during a campaign stop Monday, July 3, 2017, at J&M Bar-B-Q in Lubbock, Texas. O'Rourke is a democrat running for the senate seat held by Ted Cruz. (Brad Tollefson/The Texas Observer)](https://i0.wp.com/www.bradtollefson.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/2017-07-03-Beto-ORourke-BBQ-02.jpg?resize=1024%2C867)
![U.S. Rep. Beto O'Rourke talks with the crowd during a campaign stop Monday, July 3, 2017, at J&M Bar-B-Q in Lubbock, Texas. O'Rourke is a democrat running for the senate seat held by Ted Cruz. (Brad Tollefson/The Texas Observer)](https://i0.wp.com/www.bradtollefson.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/2017-07-03-Beto-ORourke-BBQ-03.jpg?resize=1024%2C678)
![U.S. Rep. Beto O'Rourke talks with the crowd during a campaign stop Monday, July 3, 2017, at J&M Bar-B-Q in Lubbock, Texas. O'Rourke is a democrat running for the senate seat held by Ted Cruz. (Brad Tollefson/The Texas Observer)](https://i0.wp.com/www.bradtollefson.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/2017-07-03-Beto-ORourke-BBQ-04.jpg?resize=1024%2C725)
![U.S. Rep. Beto O'Rourke poses for a picture with supporters during a campaign stop Monday, July 3, 2017, at J&M Bar-B-Q in Lubbock, Texas. O'Rourke is a democrat running for the senate seat held by Ted Cruz. (Brad Tollefson/The Texas Observer)](https://i0.wp.com/www.bradtollefson.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/2017-07-03-Beto-ORourke-BBQ-05.jpg?resize=1024%2C642)
![U.S. Rep. Beto O'Rourke signs a poster for Kristian Chen, from Lubbock, during a campaign stop Monday, July 3, 2017, at J&M Bar-B-Q in Lubbock, Texas. O'Rourke is a democrat running for the senate seat held by Ted Cruz. (Brad Tollefson/The Texas Observer)](https://i0.wp.com/www.bradtollefson.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/2017-07-03-Beto-ORourke-BBQ-06.jpg?resize=1024%2C757)
Lubbock Parade
![Molly O'Rourke puts on a paper crown to look like the Statue of Liberty during the 4th on Broadway parade Tuesday, July 4, 2017, in Lubbock, Texas. O'Rourke is a democrat running for the senate seat held by Ted Cruz. (Brad Tollefson/The Texas Observer)](https://i0.wp.com/www.bradtollefson.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/2017-07-04-Beto-ORourke-Lubbock-07.jpg?resize=1024%2C961)
![U.S. Rep. Beto O'Rourke talks to cheerleaders from Lubbock Roosevelt High School with his daughter Molly during the 4th on Broadway parade Tuesday, July 4, 2017, in Lubbock, Texas. O'Rourke is a democrat running for the senate seat held by Ted Cruz. (Brad Tollefson/The Texas Observer)](https://i0.wp.com/www.bradtollefson.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/2017-07-04-Beto-ORourke-Lubbock-08.jpg?resize=1024%2C737)
![U.S. Rep. Beto O'Rourke carries his daughter Molly on his back during the 4th on Broadway parade Tuesday, July 4, 2017, in Lubbock, Texas. O'Rourke is a democrat running for the senate seat held by Ted Cruz. (Brad Tollefson/The Texas Observer)](https://i0.wp.com/www.bradtollefson.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/2017-07-04-Beto-ORourke-Lubbock-09.jpg?resize=739%2C1024)
![U.S. Rep. Beto O'Rourke high-fives kids the crowd during the 4th on Broadway parade Tuesday, July 4, 2017, in Lubbock, Texas. O'Rourke is a democrat running for the senate seat held by Ted Cruz. (Brad Tollefson/The Texas Observer)](https://i0.wp.com/www.bradtollefson.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/2017-07-04-Beto-ORourke-Lubbock-10.jpg?resize=1024%2C734)
![U.S. Rep. Beto O'Rourke high-fives a kid the crowd during the 4th on Broadway parade Tuesday, July 4, 2017, in Lubbock, Texas. O'Rourke is a democrat running for the senate seat held by Ted Cruz. (Brad Tollefson/The Texas Observer)](https://i0.wp.com/www.bradtollefson.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/2017-07-04-Beto-ORourke-Lubbock-11.jpg?resize=1024%2C791)
![U.S. Rep. Beto O'Rourke takes a picture with his daughter Molly during the 4th on Broadway parade Tuesday, July 4, 2017, in Lubbock, Texas. O'Rourke is a democrat running for the senate seat held by Ted Cruz. (Brad Tollefson/The Texas Observer)](https://i0.wp.com/www.bradtollefson.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/2017-07-04-Beto-ORourke-Lubbock-12.jpg?resize=1024%2C786)
Canyon Visit
![U.S. Rep. Beto O'Rourke talks with Larry Roberts, from Canyon, during the Canyon's Independence Day Celebration, Tuesday, July 4, 2017, in Canyon, Texas. O'Rourke is a democrat running for the senate seat held by Ted Cruz. (Brad Tollefson/The Texas Observer)](https://i0.wp.com/www.bradtollefson.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/2017-07-04-Beto-ORourke-WT-Canyon-13.jpg?resize=1024%2C887)
![U.S. Rep. Beto O'Rourke talks with Connie Morgan and Dianne Hefley, from the High Plains Republican Women, during the Canyon's Independence Day Celebration, Tuesday, July 4, 2017, in Canyon, Texas. O'Rourke is a democrat running for the senate seat held by Ted Cruz. (Brad Tollefson/The Texas Observer)](https://i0.wp.com/www.bradtollefson.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/2017-07-04-Beto-ORourke-WT-Canyon-14.jpg?resize=1024%2C675)
![U.S. Rep. Beto O'Rourke talks with Ben Egel, from the Amarillo Globe-News, during the Canyon's Independence Day Celebration, Tuesday, July 4, 2017, in Canyon, Texas. O'Rourke is a democrat running for the senate seat held by Ted Cruz. (Brad Tollefson/The Texas Observer)](https://i0.wp.com/www.bradtollefson.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/2017-07-04-Beto-ORourke-WT-Canyon-15.jpg?resize=1024%2C816)
Update Oct. 3, 2017
The story finally ran in The Texas Observer, you can check out the full story there.
Professional Photojournalist
The story finally ran in The Texas Observer, you can check out the full story there.