Former Texas congressman and presidential candidate Beto O’Rourke hosts a town hall at the France-Merrick Performing Arts Center in Baltimore on Sunday, July 20, 2025 as part of his nationwide voter mobilization tour. Photo credit: Maggie Jones.
Former Texas congressman and presidential candidate Beto O’Rourke brought his grassroots energy to Baltimore on Sunday, hosting a town hall at the France-Merrick Performing Arts Center as part of his nationwide voter mobilization tour.
Former Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley speaks on stage at Beto O’Rourke’s town hall at the France-Merrick Performing Arts Center in Baltimore on Sunday, July 20, 2025. Photo credit: Maggie Jones.
The event, organized by his Powered by People initiative in partnership with the Maryland Democratic Party, drew a packed crowd eager to engage on pressing state and federal issues.
Former Texas congressman and presidential candidate Beto O’Rourke speaks to a packed crowd at a town hall he hosted Sunday, July 20, 2025 at the France-Merrick Performing Arts Center in Baltimore as part of his nationwide voter mobilization tour. Photo credit: Maggie Jones.
O’Rourke’s message was clear: Democrats must organize, energize, and mobilize ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. He emphasized the importance of voter registration and direct engagement, especially in states and districts that have been historically overlooked.
Former Texas congressman and presidential candidate Beto O’Rourke hosts a town hall at the France-Merrick Performing Arts Center in Baltimore on Sunday, July 20, 2025 as part of his nationwide voter mobilization tour. Photo credit: Maggie Jones.
O’Rourke tackled a range of issues including: Texas redistricting and its national implications, layoffs from DOGE, and concerns with the Trump administration, particularly its impact on civil rights and democratic norms.
An audience member takes video of former Texas congressman and presidential candidate Beto O’Rourke as he speaks at a town hall at the France-Merrick Performing Arts Center in Baltimore on Sunday, July 20, 2025 as part of his nationwide voter mobilization tour. Photo credit: Maggie Jones.
He also praised Maryland Democrats for their proactive organizing efforts, aligning with the state party’s “Summer of Organizing” campaign aimed at countering Republican extremism and boosting voter engagement.
Audience members raise their hands during Beto O’Rourke’s town hall on Sunday, July 20, 2025 at the France-Merrick Performing Arts Center in Baltimore. Photo credit: Maggie Jones.
Baltimore was one of several stops on O’Rourke’s East Coast tour, which included events in Philadelphia and Richmond earlier in the weekend. His continued presence in battleground regions could signal a potential re-entry into national politics, though no formal announcement has been made.
Former Texas congressman and presidential candidate Beto O’Rourke listens to an audience member at a town hall O’Rourke hosted at the France-Merrick Performing Arts Center in Baltimore on Sunday, July 20, 2025 as part of his nationwide voter mobilization tour. Photo credit: Maggie Jones.
Former Texas congressman and presidential candidate Beto O’Rourke listens to an audience member at a town hall O’Rourke hosted at the France-Merrick Performing Arts Center in Baltimore on Sunday, July 20, 2025 as part of his nationwide voter mobilization tour. Photo credit: Maggie Jones.
Former Texas congressman and presidential candidate Beto O’Rourke listens to an audience member at a town hall O’Rourke hosted at the France-Merrick Performing Arts Center in Baltimore on Sunday, July 20, 2025 as part of his nationwide voter mobilization tour. Photo credit: Maggie Jones.
Maggie Jones is a photojournalist from Baltimore, Maryland, and was Baltimore Fishbowl's summer 2024 photojournalism intern. She studied Electronic Media and Film at Towson University, where she focused...
More by Maggie Jones
