Texas Senate Debate: Cruz vs. Allred

HOUSTON – Candidates in Texas' race for the U.S. Senate seat clashed on a debate stage in Dallas on Tuesday over border security, reproductive rights and the economy.

The only head-to-head matchup came as new polls showed incumbent Ted Cruz four points ahead of his Democratic challenger Colin Allred.

PROPOSED: Race between Cruz and Allred heats up as attack ads vie for non-committal voters

The Dallas congressman wants to win over voters by challenging Cruz's opposition to abortion access.

“26,000 women forced to give birth to their rapist's child in Texas under this law, which you described as perfectly reasonable, is not freedom. I trust Texas women to make their own decisions,” Allred said.

Cruz hit back, citing Allred's opposition to notifying parents when minors want to terminate a pregnancy.

“He voted to repeal Texas’ parental notification law. He voted to repeal Texas' parental consent law. “He voted to legalize late-term abortions including the 8th and 9th months,” Cruz claimed.

When asked repeatedly whether he supported exceptions to Texas' abortion ban in cases of rape or incest, Senator Cruz responded directly.

The two candidates clashed heatedly over the issue of border security, with Cruz highlighting Allred's opposition to a border and his support of Biden's immigration policies.

“He calls the border wall quote 'that racist border wall' and promised to personally tear down that racist border wall… When Donald Trump was president, I worked hand in hand to secure the border and we achieved incredible success.” “has produced the lowest rate of illegal immigration in 45 years,” Cruz said.

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Allred countered by accusing Cruz of sabotaging a measure to improve border security earlier this year.

“When the toughest border protection bill in a generation came up in the US Senate, $20 billion for border security, he said we don't need a border law, that's what he said, and that's a pattern for him. He is never there for us when we need him. When the lights went out in the energy capital of the world, he went to Cancun,” Allred said.

For the Dallas congressman, Cruz's infamous evacuation to the Mexican resort during the winter storm was a recurring theme.

Cruz, in turn, highlighted Allred's progressive voting record, which often fails to keep up with his more moderate rhetoric on the campaign trail.

The issue of transgender rights also sparked considerable exchange.

“Congressman Allred joined a hundred radical Democrats in demanding that our military allow drag shows on military bases, pay for sex reassignment services for soldiers with taxpayer dollars, and pay for child sterilization and sex reassignment procedures on military bases,” Cruz claimed.

“I believe people should not be discriminated against, and Senator Cruz should try to explain to you why he believes that should be the case,” Allred responded.