The debate between Republican U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz and Democratic challenger Congressman Colin Allred was intense and full of accusations. Allred, who won the coin toss, talked about his Texas upbringing and called himself the most bipartisan Texan in Congress. He criticized Cruz for being the most extreme Senator in the United States Senate.
Cruz, on the other hand, started on a slightly gentler note, acknowledging Allred’s success but warned viewers that Allred would avoid answering tough questions about his voting record.
The debate covered various topics such as abortion and in vitro fertilization. Allred criticized Cruz for his stance on abortion, while Cruz accused Allred of supporting late-term abortions. The candidates also sparred over IVF, blaming each other’s parties for creating issues around the treatment.
Border security was another heated topic, with Allred dodging questions about his changing stance on border wall expansion and Cruz accusing him of voting against serious measures to secure the border.
On the economy, Cruz blamed inflation on Harris and Allred, while Allred focused on lowering the costs of essential services like healthcare and housing. Cruz blamed Democrats for killing a plan to make insulin affordable.
Throughout the debate, both candidates highlighted their differences on various issues, including the war in Gaza, pardons for Capitol attackers, and rising home insurance costs in disaster-prone areas.
The Texas Senate race between Cruz and Allred is one of the most closely watched contests this election year. Allred has outraised Cruz in fundraising, and the candidates have collectively raised $132 million for their campaigns.
The debate was a crucial moment for both candidates as early voting in Texas was set to begin soon. It was their final opportunity to rally their base and sway undecided voters before the election.
The intense and expensive nature of the Senate race reflects the importance both parties place on winning in Texas. Democrats see an opportunity to gain ground in the state, while Republicans are fighting to maintain their majority in the U.S. Senate. The outcome of this race will have far-reaching implications for Texas and the country as a whole.