With less than two weeks until Election Day, more than 300 people turned out Friday in Tyler as U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz stopped as part of his campaign tour.
“Everywhere we’re going, we’re seeing packed houses, standing rooms only. People are energized,” he said. “The path we’re on isn’t working, and we want to get back to a path that was good for Texas.”
Dressed in red and sipping beers, the crowd at 1836 Texas Kitchen swayed to classic rock and dug into Texas-inspired dishes. A lively chorus broke out when State Sen. Bryan Hughes led a patriotic song, with cheers erupting as Cruz took the stage.
The incumbent Republican senator is in a tight race against Democratic U.S. Rep. Colin Allred.
“Y’all are blessed to live in one of the reddest parts of the states. I love East Texas. I love the values of East Texas,” Cruz said. “If the entire state and the entire country could have East Texas values, we would pull America back from the brink.”
He described East Texans as people who stand by common sense and conservative values with a deep love for Texas, America, faith and freedom — values he said are worth defending.
“There are other parts of the state that are not as red, and we need East Texas to show up in massive numbers,” Cruz said. “If you voted already, that’s fantastic. Go bring your friends and family to vote and if you haven’t voted.”
Cruz recalled a day last week packed with rallies in Abilene, Waco and College Station, each drawing a few thousand supporters. Meanwhile, he said Allred spent that same day meeting with Willie Nelson.
“Willie probably already knows who he’s voting for,” Cruz added, saying Texans aren’t looking to Allred partying with Kamala Harris and celebrities like Beyonce in Houston to decide the race.
“This race is not going to be decided by Hollywood celebrities,” Cruz said. “This race really is about the records of both candidates…My record, Allred’s, they’re night and day.”
Tyler resident Tony Socia said it’s especially important Cruz visited Tyler and neighboring communities since he is in a tight race, which is why he’s making an effort to connect with different communities.
Socia said Cruz mentioned during his speech that participation in their specific area could really make a difference in the election.
“He needs to get his voice out there and be heard all over the state of Texas,” Socia said.
Cruz said he’s spent 12 years pushing for jobs, freedom, security, lower taxes and fewer regulations, supporting small businesses, securing the border and backing law enforcement. He contrasted his record with Allred, claiming the representative aligned entirely with former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s votes during his four years in Congress.
“Colin Allred is Kamala Harris. He’s voted for open borders. He has voted against Texas energy and oil and gas. That’s a contrast of fundamental values and fundamental records,” Cruz said.
He said Democrats are pouring more than $100 million into Texas in a bid to flip the state, saying, “They want to buy Texas.”
He pointed out that U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders and U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez have come to campaign for Allred.
“AOC said, ‘If we flip Texas, we change the country for a generation.’ That’s what the stakes are,” Cruz said.
His message to Texans: “We’re not going to let that happen…The best answer is to show up, vote and bring your friends.”