The Latest: Senate hopeful O'Rourke praises term limits

O'Rourke made his comments in a phone interview with The Associated Press after announcing his longshot bid in his home town of El Paso.

Rep. Beto O'Rourke is promising an unconventional campaign as he embarks on his longshot bid to unseat GOP Sen. Ted Cruz.

In an interview with The Associated Press after his kickoff, the Democrat said he won't use pollsters or consultants or take money from PACs.

O'Rourke is the acknowledged underdog in the race, and may get the brushoff from the national party as Democrats focus on defending 10 endangered incumbents in states Donald Trump won.

Cruz said he's "confident" Texas will want a senator who fights for freedom, defending the Constitution and "getting government off our backs."

Democratic U.S. Rep. Beto O'Rourke has begun his longshot 2018 Senate run by praising immigrants, saying America draws strength from refugees and suggesting it's time to "end this failed war on drugs."

The 44-year-old, third-term congressman told supporters Friday on a rooftop in his hometown of El Paso that he will support policies embracing people coming to the U.S. as immigrants or refugees.

On Friday he also criticized Republican Sen. Ted Cruz, saying the state needs a "senator working full-time for Texas" rather than "serving his own interests" running for president.

O'Rourke spoke about "comprehensive immigration reform" than repeated the words in fluent Spanish.

Cruz finished second to Donald Trump in last year's crowded GOP presidential primary field and remains powerful in Texas — which hasn't elected a Democrat to statewide office since 1994.