Texas border Business
What separates them?
In a heated debate live from downtown Dallas, Texas, incumbent Senator Ted Cruz and challenger Congressman Colin Allred faced off just three weeks ahead of the November election. Both men laid out their visions for Texas, starkly contrasting in their views on border security, abortion, the economy, and more. As the night progressed, Ted Cruz emerged as the experienced, battle-hardened defender of Texas values, while Colin Allred aimed to portray himself as a fresh voice ready to make meaningful change. Here’s a closer look at what went down.
Border Security
On the border issue, the divide between Cruz and Allred was stark. Cruz positioned himself as a long-time defender of strong border enforcement, pointing to his work with former President Donald Trump, which he said led to the lowest illegal immigration numbers in decades. Cruz repeatedly hammered Allred for what he called his “soft” stance on border security, accusing him of voting against border walls and labeling Trump’s border wall “racist.”
Allred, who has roots in a border community, took a more complicated approach, arguing that border security needs a combination of physical barriers, manpower, and technology. He criticized Cruz for being “all hat and no cattle,” accusing him of failing to take meaningful action despite his tough rhetoric.
Winner on the Border: Cruz held the advantage with his proven record and emphasis on concrete actions, while Allred struggled to shake off accusations of inconsistency and ineffective policies.
Abortion
The issue of abortion brought out perhaps the fiercest exchanges of the night. Cruz argued that after the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, it is up to each state to decide its abortion laws. He said, “I agree with the United States Supreme Court that under our constitution, the way we resolve questions like that, questions on which we have real and genuine disagreements, is that the ballot box is voting. And that’s why the state of the law now is that the legislature in Austin sets the laws in Texas.”
He also highlighted Allred’s voting record, accusing him of supporting abortion up to the ninth month and dismantling Texas’ parental notification laws. Cruz took a firm position in favor of life and parental rights.
Allred, meanwhile, delivered a personal plea, arguing that Texas’ restrictive laws hurt real women, citing stories of Texans who had to leave the state for life-saving healthcare. He called for the restoration of Roe v. Wade and criticized Cruz for supporting laws that force victims of rape and incest to carry pregnancies to term.
Winner on Abortion: Cruz stayed consistent with conservative Texas values, but Allred’s emotional appeal and focus on healthcare could not be enough to make a difference with voters concerned about the human impact of current laws.
The Economy
Cruz and Allred both presented their plans for handling Texas’s economic concerns. Cruz linked the state’s inflation problems directly to the policies of the Biden administration, accusing Allred of supporting a “spending binge” that has hurt working-class Texans. He touted his work on the 2017 Trump tax cuts, which he credited for lowering unemployment and boosting the economy.
Allred, however, focused on lowering costs for Texas families, including his support for capping insulin prices and expanding affordable housing. He painted Cruz as out of touch with ordinary Texans, pointing to Cruz’s opposition to capping insulin costs for all Americans as a sign of his loyalty to big corporations rather than working families.
Winner on the Economy: Cruz’s argument for energy independence and criticism of Democratic overspending was strong. Allred’s focus on affordability resonated, particularly with middle-class and lower-income voters. However, it does not go well with conservatives if this implies giving more money.
Cruz clarified that he voted to lower the price of insulin to a dollar a vial and said that the Democrats blocked that. He also said that President Trump implemented a program to provide affordable insulin. They pulled that out as soon as Joe Biden and Kamala Harris came into office.
Transgender Rights and Women’s Sports
This topic was a significant flashpoint, with Cruz accusing Allred of supporting laws that would allow transgender women to compete in women’s sports, calling it a fundamental fairness issue. Cruz repeatedly pointed to Allred’s voting record in Congress as evidence of what he called extreme, radical positions on this issue.
Allred dismissed these claims, calling them distractions from more pressing issues like healthcare and the economy. While Allred stated he did not support boys competing in girls’ sports, he focused on the broader need for equality and non-discrimination.
Winner on Transgender Rights and Sports: Cruz rallied his conservative base with a clear stance on protecting women’s sports, while Allred’s broader response didn’t resonate as strongly.
Throughout the debate, Ted Cruz leaned on his years of experience and legislative record to portray himself as the true defender of Texas, emphasizing his role in keeping the state strong on border security, the economy, and conservative values. Allred, in contrast, tried to focus on the human stories behind the policies, presenting himself as a new kind of leader who would bring practical, compassionate change to Texas.
But in terms of sheer debating points, Cruz’s clear articulation of his record and strong rebuttals to Allred’s accusations made him the winner of the night. He consistently kept Allred on the defensive, leveraging his long tenure in the Senate and his ability to frame the debate around Texas’ most deeply held values.
With the election looming, Ted Cruz’s performance in this debate could solidify his base and appeal to undecided voters, prioritizing experience and proven conservative leadership. While Allred made passionate arguments for change, Cruz’s solid grasp of Texas politics and his focus on action over rhetoric made him the stronger candidate for Texas in the U.S. Senate.