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Culture > News

The Internet Felt Every Feeling About Beto O’Rourke’s Loss & It Was Pretty Heartbreaking TBH

Sophie Hayssen

The Senate race between Republican incumbent Ted Cruz and Democratic Congressman Beto O’Rourke was one of the most riveting races decided on Tuesday night’s midterm. O’Rourke came within 3 percentage points of beating Cruz in a state previously thought of as firmly Republican, as The New York Times reports. Because of O’Rourke’s surprising momentum, the nail-biter of a race had people on the edge of their seats and left many devastated at his loss.

In addition to wallowing in their love for O’Rourke, some supporters expressed their disappointment that O’Rourke lost to Ted Cruz specifically.

Some people, on the other hand, channeled their love for O’Rourke into hopes that he would one day run for president in 2020.

For Republican supporters, however, the night had a much different tone to it. Excited at the prospect of Cruz retaining his Senate seat and the uphill battles now facing gubenatorial candidates Stacey Abrams (GA) and Andrew Gillum (FL), some conservatives saw O’Rourke’s loss as part of a larger liberal failure.

In the aftermath of such a close emotional race, it’s easy to get caught up in emotion. A common sentiment, particularly from political commentators such as Pod Save America host Dan Pfeiffer, was that Beto O’Rourke’s campaign while technically unsuccessful was significant in the mobilization and momentum it created.

Senator or not, it seems that for many (especially on the Internet) Beto O’Rourke is already winner.

Sophie is a college student studying English and American Studies. She likes to write as a form of self-expression and procrastination. Her work has appeared in Rookie Magazine, Clover Letter, and Screen Queens. Outside of writing, her interests include reading Gothic literature, playing guitar badly, and enjoying the great outdoors from the even greater indoors.