Cruz, O'Rourke Trade Attacks During Testy 1st Texas Debate

Republican Ted Cruz and Democrat Beto O’Rourke repeatedly traded barbs during a testy first debate Friday night, underscoring how a Texas Senate race that long looked like a cakewalk for the conservative incumbent now appears to be anything but one.Cruz went on the attack moments after stepping on the stage, charging that his opponent suggested that police officers embodied “modern-day Jim Crow” laws in response to a question about a Dallas policewoman who shot and killed her unarmed, black neighbor after saying she mistakenly entered his apartment, thinking it was her own. The case is still under investigation.

O’Rourke responded that the accusation was “simply not true.” Cruz appeared to be referring to O’Rourke previously suggesting that inherent biases in the criminal justice system promote racism.

Later, when Cruz tried to say O’Rourke wanted to abolish the Second Amendment, the Democrat said it wasn’t so, and the candidates sniped while the moderators pleaded for them to stop and for the audience to stop hooting. O’Rourke said Texas was ready for a senator who will protect the Second Amendment while imposing small restrictions to save lives and prevent mass shootings. He suggested those were supported by “gunowners and non-gunowners alike,” but when he said the common GOP refrain after gun violence of offering “thoughts and prayers” wasn’t enough, Cruz bristled.

“I’m sorry you don’t like thoughts and prayers,” he said. “I will pray for anyone in harm’s way.”