Cruz, O’Rourke campaigns release first TV ads as the race heats up

Both Ted Cruz and Beto O’Rourke released their first TV campaign ads in August.

Rep. O’Rourke released his first ad Wednesday, focused on bringing Texans together. The ad contains footage from O’Rourke’s visit to all 254 counties in Texas. It is running in all 20 media markets, costing his campaign $1.3 million.

Sen. Cruz released his first four TV ads Aug. 3. One ad is focused on Hurricane Harvey relief while the other three take aim at O’Rourke. The Cruz campaign has not released how much they are spending on the ads.

The ads come as the race begins to heat up. A RealClearPolitics average of the polls puts Cruz 6.5 percentage points ahead of O’Rourke. However, one poll released at the end of July had Cruz only up by two points.

Voters will go to the polls Nov. 6 to decide who wins.