Beto O’Rourke: We risk 'becoming a democracy in name only’

Democratic presidential hopeful Beto O’Rourke has warned that the U.S. runs “the risk of being a democracy in name only.”

He made the comment during a campaign rally Saturday in El Paso, Texas, near the Mexican border.

“When PACs and special interests can buy the outcomes of elections and legislation, and when voting rights are not expanded, they are functionally withdrawn, then we run the risk of becoming a democracy in name only,” O’Rourke said.

RELATED: Beto O'Rourke throughout his political career

“The idea that we were founded on the principle that we are all created equal to equal opportunity is justifiably seen as a lie to those who’ve experienced gross differences in opportunity and outcome when it comes to education or healthcare or economic advancement or justice,” he added.

The rally was O’Rourke’s first big campaign event since he declared his intent to run for president about two weeks ago.

He said at the time: “This is going to be a positive campaign that seeks to bring out the very best from every single one of us, that seeks to unite a very divided country.”

In contrast to President Trump who recently threatened to close the border with Mexico, O’Rourke has embraced a pro-immigration platform.