First Cruz-O’Rourke debate less likely to happen
The first of five debates between Sen. Ted Cruz (R, Texas) and Rep. Beto O’Rourke, proposed by the Cruz campaign for Aug. 31 in Dallas, is less likely to happen now considering the congressman is scheduled to be in El Paso that day.
O’Rourke, whose campaign never officially agreed to the scheduled dates and cities, will be in El Paso County that Friday for a town hall meeting at 11 a.m. at Horizon High School’s gym, located at 14651 Horizon Boulevard.
Earlier this year, Sen. Cruz strategist Jeff Roe sent a letter to O’Rourke, proposing the following debate schedule:
– Aug. 31 in Dallas on “Jobs/Taxes/Federal Regulations/National Economy”
– Sept. 14 in McAllen on “Immigration/Border Security/Criminal Justice/Supreme Court”
– Sept. 21 in San Antonio on “Foreign Policy/National Security”
– Oct. 5 in Houston on “Energy/Trade/Texas Economy”
– Oct. 12 in Lubbock on “Healthcare/Obamacare”
Roe said the debates would all take place on Friday evenings “because the Senate is expected to be in session during that time.”
O’Rourke had objected to the debates being on Friday nights during high school football. The Congressman offered suggestions, and in a letter sent to Roe, O’Rourke wrote, “I would propose adding a sixth debate to be held in El Paso, our state’s sixth largest city and the largest binational community in the hemisphere.”
Cruz’s campaign responded to O’Rourke’s demands. A letter written by Roe on June 27th stated: “As we attempted to make clear, our debate plan isn’t an open negotiation. Rather, it is an offer for you to participate in a fair and fruitful debate program across the Lone Star State. However, given that El Paso is your home city, we are certainly open to your suggestion to swap out one of the current five host locations.”
According to the Texas Tribune, this is one of the top senate races in the country in terms of fundraising.
The Texas Tribune reports O’Rourke has raised $23.6 million and has $14 cash on hand. Sen. Cruz has raised $15.6 million, which includes $4.3 million raised with the help of political action committees.
Between Jan. 1, 2017 and July 31, 2018, O’Rourke has raised $8 million more than Cruz, according to a Texas Tribune analysis of O’Rourke’s and Cruz’s campaign accounts and other entities that are part of Cruz’s fundraising network.
