Beto O'Rourke isn't cutting investment in early states, but will spend time differently

Bryan Smith wasn't looking for Democratic presidential candidate Beto O'Rourke when he looked through the window of Trinity Las Americas United Methodist Church in Des Moines on an overcast Wednesday afternoon.

"I was looking for the sun, and Beto showed up," Smith said.

It was Smith's third day on the job running the Children and Family Urban Movement supper club. When he saw the former U.S. representative walking the streets of River Bend, a Des Moines neighborhood, Smith ran out to invite the candidate for dinner.

"We have some food if you want to try some," a volunteer told him when he came in.

"I do, I definitely, definitely do," O'Rourke said. He came in to eat spaghetti, watermelon and vegetables on a blue plastic tray as he talked to CFUM Director of Family and Community Engagement Janelle Mueller and other Iowans having dinner in the church basement.

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But O'Rourke said that doesn't mean he is giving up on early states such as Iowa and New Hampshire. O'Rourke's state campaign director, Norm Sterzenbach, confirmed Wednesday they are not closing any of their 11 campaign offices or reducing Iowa staff, saying "nothing has changed" about the commitment to the statewide campaign.

Read more: https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/elections/presidential/caucus/2019/08/22/beto-orourke-iowa-caucus-election-campaign-2020-des-moines-el-paso-national-democrat-president-knock/2052877001/