Cruz, Sadler debate for Texas Senate seat; discuss El Paso

The campaign for Texas’ open U.S. Senate seat has spurred a bitter rivalry between Republican Ted Cruz and Democrat Paul Sadler.

The two candidates discussed a range of topics in their second and final debate earlier Friday evening.

When border violence was mentioned, El Paso came up as an example of an incorrect stereotype.

The candidates were asked if they would increase the National Guard presence on the border to combat the bloodshed.

“We’re stuck in these stereotypes in this state,” Sadler said. “El Paso — and if the people in Texas don’t know this — look it up — El Paso is the safest city in America for a city it’s size. We have to stop thinking in terms of violence in the Valley and El Paso because it’s really not true what’s going on in that part of our state.”

Juarez recorded 952 gang killings in the first half the year, down from more than 1,600 in 2011.

But Sadler then responded that he would support more forces on the border.

Republican Tea Party favorite Ted Cruz then replied the border is not safe and he’d triple the number of National Guard forces.

Right now, there’s about 1,200 hundred troops on the ground, helping Border Patrol agents on their shifts.

The White House says it will bring that number down to 300.

Sadler says border towns like El Paso are considerably safer now, but Cruz disagrees.

“It is tragic what is happening in Mexico and I think that our state should work cooperatively with Mexico to help the Mexican government solve this problem, stop the violence and stop the drug lords that are terrorizing so many innocent citizens,” Cruz said.

The candidates also discussed taxes. Cruz vowed not to raise taxes on any Texan. Sadler says he’s not afraid to examine raising taxes and it’s going to take shared sacrifice to pay down the debt.

Both are competing in the Nov. 6 election to succeed retiring U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison.