DALLAS (WBAP/KLIF) – The first of three debates in the high profile senate race between republican Senator Ted Cruz and his democratic challenger Ted Cruz was held Friday evening on the SMU campus in Dallas.
Approximately 250 audience members witnessed the debate inside the McFarlin auditorium. Tickets were distributed by both campaigns and the University.
“I wish more tickets were distributed to students,” said SMU student Daniel Herd. “I feel like that would be a great opportunity for both campaigns to help reach younger voters and help encourage us to vote.”
Several watch parties were held on campus.
“This will be my first election to vote in so I’m glad we got to hear what they had to say,” one student watching at the Fondren Library said.
“I’m glad we heard from the candidates but my mind was already made up,” said another student.
Recent polls showed conflicting results in the days leading up the debate but all indications were that it is a tight race.
The debate was moderated by NBC 5 Television in Dallas and The Dallas Morning News. It focused on domestic policy. Immigration was the first issue discussed by the candidates.
“There are four words I refer to on immigration,” said Cruz. “Legal, good; illegal bad.”
O’Rourke said America needs to give citizens a chance to live in this country.
“We need to allow citizens to become right by law,” said O’Rourke.
Each candidate addressed a recent incident involving a Dallas Police Officer shooting 26-year-old Botham Jean in his apartment after mistaking it for her own. Cruz called out his opponent for what he said was jumping to conclusions in calling for the Dallas Police Department to fire the Officer.
“With the shooting of Botham Jean you have another unarmed black man killed by a Police Officer and we have to do better,” O’Rourke said.
The moderator asked O’Rourke to speak on comments he made about the national anthem protests. O’Rourke said during a town hall meeting that there is nothing more American than protesting injustices. He doubled down on his statement Friday during the debate.
“To be clear, everyone has a right to protest,” Cruz replied. “But you can speak in a way that doesn’t disrespect the flag and doesn’t disrespect the anthem.”
The candidates debated the Supreme Court confirmation of Brett Kavanaugh, gun laws in Texas, and trade. O’Rourke stressed multiple times during the debate that he has visited all of the 254 counties in Texas and accused Cruz of not being more present.
“Representing Texas isn’t all about photo-op’s with reporters in tow,” said Cruz. “It’s about looking out for the best interest of Texans.”
Cruz and O’Rourke will meet twice more before the November election. The next debate is slated for September 30 in Houston. A third debate is set for October in San Antonio.
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