You probably remember the viral videos of Beto O’Rourke standing on tabletops or that marathon road trip with a Republican colleague. For a few years there, he was basically everywhere. But after the dust settled on his 2022 bid for Texas governor, things got a lot quieter on the national stage. It leaves a lot of people wondering: what exactly does a guy like that do once the cameras stop following him around 24/7?
Honestly, it’s not just one thing. He hasn’t disappeared into a corporate boardroom or taken some high-flying lobbyist gig in D.C. like you might expect. Instead, O’Rourke has cobbled together a career that’s part nonprofit leader, part educator, and part writer.
Leading Powered by People
If you’re looking for his main "day job," it’s leading Powered by People. This is a political action committee (PAC) he started back in 2019, but it doesn't function like the big-money PACs you hear about on the news. He basically runs a massive volunteer mobilization machine focused on Texas.
The group spends a staggering amount of time on the ground. They aren’t just running TV ads; they are literally knocking on doors and calling "low-propensity" voters—people who don't usually show up to the polls. In 2025 and 2026, he’s been using this platform to organize town halls across the state, even in deep-red districts where Democrats usually don't bother to show up.
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It’s a gritty, high-energy role. He isn't just the face of the organization; he’s often the one on the phone bank or leading the rallies. Recently, the group has been a major player in funding the efforts of Texas Democratic lawmakers who have left the state to block legislation they disagree with, covering their lodging and travel costs.
Teaching and the Academic Life
Believe it or not, O'Rourke has spent a good chunk of his post-campaign life in the classroom. He isn't just a guest speaker; he’s been a formal instructor. He’s taught courses at the LBJ School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas at Austin and at Texas State University.
His seminars usually focus on:
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- The history of voting rights in Texas.
- The expansion of American democracy.
- The specific political landscape of the South.
He also spent time as a Pritzker Fellow at the University of Chicago’s Institute of Politics. It’s a shift from the stump speech to the syllabus, but it’s a consistent paycheck and a way to stay connected to the younger generation of activists he’s always relied on.
Writing and Books
Writing is another way he keeps the lights on. He’s the author of We’ve Got to Try: How the Fight for Voting Rights Makes Everything Else Possible. Writing a book isn't just a vanity project for someone in his position; it’s a professional endeavor that involves book tours, speaking engagements, and royalties.
Before his life in politics, he co-founded Stanton Street Technology Group, a software and internet services company in El Paso. While his wife, Amy, ran the business for years while he was in Congress, that entrepreneurial background has always been a part of his professional identity. Even though he’s moved away from the tech world, the "do-it-yourself" ethos from his early days—and his time in punk rock bands like Foss—clearly bleeds into how he manages his current projects.
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The Question of Personal Wealth
You'll often hear talk about O’Rourke’s net worth, with some estimates placing it around $9 million. A lot of that comes from investments and inheritance. His father was a successful businessman and politician in El Paso, and that provided a financial cushion that allows him to pursue "public service" roles that might not pay a typical corporate salary.
While he earned the standard $174,000 annual salary during his six years in the U.S. House of Representatives, he doesn't have that government paycheck anymore. These days, his income is a mix of his teaching stints, book-related revenue, and returns on his long-term investments in real estate and stocks.
What He's Doing Right Now (2026)
Right now, as we head into the 2026 midterms, Beto is back in the mix, but in a different way. He’s been traveling—not just in Texas, but to places like Philadelphia—to talk about the youth vote and Democratic strategy. He hasn't officially jumped into a new race as of early 2026, but he’s "keeping the door open" while staying busy with his nonprofit work.
Basically, he’s living the life of a professional organizer. It’s less about the glitz of a presidential campaign and more about the "boring" but essential work of voter registration.
If you're looking to follow his lead or get involved in the kind of work he does, here are some actionable steps:
- Check out Powered by People: If you're interested in grassroots organizing, looking at their "Drive-to-You" voter registration model is a great way to see how modern mobilization works.
- Read "We've Got to Try": It gives the most direct insight into his philosophy on why he chooses this specific type of work over traditional corporate roles.
- Monitor University Fellowships: If you're a student or in academia, keep an eye on the LBJ School or UChicago's Institute of Politics for his upcoming seminar schedules.