Democratic presidential candidate Beto O'Rourke paid a visit to the idled GM Lordstown plant on Wednesday to deliver some pizzas and speak with picketing United Auto Workers outside. 

The presidential hopeful and former Texas congressman spoke with workers, who said they did everything General Motors wanted and did not understand why they idled the Lordstown plant. They told O'Rourke they don't want to leave. They want to find a job close to home. 

"Every person I've talked to has told me I played by the rules. I did everything GM asked me to do, and this is the reward I get at the end of my life," O'Rourke said. 

O'Rourke brought up how the auto industry is moving more towards electric vehicles and asked why they can't bring those cars to the Lordstown plant. 

A picketing UAW worker said they deserve to make those vehicles since the taxpayers helped to bail GM out. 

O'Rourke said that if public taxpayer resources are used to bailout a corporation or an automaker in the future, the bailout is tied to a commitment to the community, which he says GM did not follow. He said there was an agreement that they would not close the Lordstown plant during its bailout, adding they essentially closed it when they announced it was idled. 

"I know GM, with $8 billion in profit last year, can do better. We just have to decide as a country that we will force them to do that, and be here for the people of Lordstown and Ohio."

When asked about his visit to Lordstown overall, O'Rourke said he was grateful to spend some time in the village with the UAW workers and the others who came out to support them. It shows the pride of Lordstown, he said. He was struck by the resilience and courage of the people.

"So many people here have told me that they feel forgotten, or they're reliving a nightmare that they saw their parents live with the closure of steel plants or GE, and it's happening again with the closure of GM. My message for them is they are so important to me. Not just to Ohio but to the future of this country."

The presidential hopeful said he is going to stand up for these families and the community. O'Rourke also added he would continue visiting picketing UAW workers amid contract negotiations with GM. He said they're fighting for all of America, standing up for the middle class. 

Earlier in the day, O'Rourke visited the UAW Local 1112 building on Springs Road for a community roundtable.

After his stop in Lordstown, he will visit Kent State University.