"Draft Beto" effort builds momentum

Beto O’Rourke is getting a significant lift in the early nominating states of South Carolina and Nevada, with operatives in both states joining an effort to draft O’Rourke into the presidential campaign.

Boyd Brown, a former South Carolina lawmaker and former Democratic National Committee member, told POLITICO on Monday that he will become national senior adviser to a “Draft Beto” campaign.

Meanwhile, the group was expected later Monday to announce the hiring of political consultant Michael Soneff as Nevada state director. Soneff served as a communications adviser to the Nevada State Democratic Party during the 2018 midterm elections and was deputy chief of staff to Rep. Nanette Barragán (D-Calif.).