U.S. Rep. Reyes Concedes, Offers Support to O'Rourke

U.S. Rep. Silvestre Reyes, D-El Paso, officially conceded Wednesday after narrowly missing a runoff against CD-16 challenger and former El Paso City Council member Beto O’Rourke.

O’Rourke edged out a primary victory after garnering 50.5 percent of the vote, compared with Reyes’ 44.3 percent.

In a statement, Reyes, who has served the West Texas district since 1996, said he was ready to offer his support as the transition takes place.

“I take this time to congratulate Mr. Beto O’Rourke in winning the 16^th District of Texas Democratic Primary. My staff and I are ready to work with the new Congressperson and their incoming staff to transition the office and to continue the vital work it provides this community,” he said. “As this campaign comes to an end, I thank the love of my life, Carolina, and my children for their support. … God Bless El Paso and this great country.”

Reyes’ remarks come less than a day after he told the El Paso Times that O’Rourke “deliberately ran a nasty, dirty campaign" and partially blamed negative media coverage for his loss.

Reyes, however, was quick to get back to work and immediately left El Paso for Washington to be present while President Obama signs into law a bill Reyes introduced in March that aims to help federal law enforcement eradicate illegal underground tunnels on the U.S.-Mexico border.