Senator Ted Cruz talks border security, keeping Texas red at rally just days before Election Day
U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz drew a crowd of an estimated 1,000 to 1,500 people for a campaign rally at Marty B’s in Bartonville on Sunday, where the incumbent senator made his case for re-election in the 2018 midterms. The Denton County rally is one of the final stops on his re-election campaign tour.
State Sen. Jane Nelson and congressman Michael Burgess made appearances at the start of the rally to introduce Cruz, warming up the audience filling up Marty B’s restaurant with chants like “Keep Texas Red.”
Cruz took the stage after both politicians spoke, centering his speech around three issues important to his campaign: jobs, freedom and national security.
“I’m here today to celebrate prosperity, to celebrate peace through strength, to celebrate hope and to celebrate the great state of Texas,” Cruz said.
Cruz’s remarks drew cheers and applause as he remarked to the crowd about moments of accomplishment during his Washington career, including the passing of tax reform legislation and the repealing of regulations.
“The economy is booming,” Cruz said. “Wages are going up, opportunity is going up. Family incomes across the country are going up, and the number one state for an increase in family incomes is the great state of Texas.”
Other hot topics of Cruz’s talk included border security and law enforcement. Cruz has been a vocal supporter of President Donald Trump’s plan to build a wall on the southern border, which he affirmed again to Denton County voters.
“The people of Texas want our border secure,“ Cruz said “We need to build a wall. We need to triple the border patrol.”
The race for Texas senator has received national attention due to how close the race has been and as some celebrities have rallied behind Cruz’s challenger, Democratic congressman Beto O’Rourke.
Some crowd members could be heard shouting phrases like ‘Veto Beto’ as Cruz made occasional remarks about his opponent’s political record.
“[O’Rourke] wants higher taxes, he wants higher regulations, both of which would lead to fewer jobs, lower wages and less opportunities,” Cruz said. “We all know that the hard left is energized, they’re angry. Many of them are consumed with hatred for the president.”
Despite several months of O’Rourke’s campaign outpacing Cruz in fundraising totals, the incumbent senator stayed adamant in his chances for victory. Current polling averages place Cruz around 6.5 points ahead of his Democrat rival, though several polls give Cruz a 3 to 5 percent advantage, while a CBS 11 poll conducted in the DFW area placed Cruz a full 10 points ahead of O’Rourke.
Cruz wrapped up the event with a message for the “millions of conservative Democrats” who might feel disillusioned with their own party, urging them to vote Republican to escape Democratic viewpoints contrary to their personal beliefs.
First-time voter David Hernandez, 18, said he has attended several events in support of Cruz this year.
“You can tell that [Cruz] is eager and ready to get out to vote,” Hernandez said. “He’s ready for Tuesday. The crowd was very responsive to his message and really positive to what he had to say.”
Hernandez said anti-abortion and Second Amendment issues are the main reasons he supports Cruz’s campaign.
Small business owner Camille Hitchings, 53, attended the rally in response to ideological differences with Democrats, citing economic policy and immigration as major reasons she supports Cruz. Hitchings said Democrats have brought anger to today’s political discourse.
“I’m just so opposed to what’s happening,” Hitchings said. “Like with Judge Kavanaugh. I posted something on Facebook [about Kavanaugh] and I was attacked. I finally had to delete the post. There was such hate from the young people. I was very upset by that.”
Despite her sentiment, Hitchings delivered her own personal advice to young voters preparing for the midterms.
“Use your logical mind, not your passion,” Hitchings said. “I realize we all want everyone to have everything, and I do too. But logically, how is it all going to work?”
Featured Image: Texas Senator Ted Cruz speaks to a crowd of supporters in Bartonville Sunday. Cruz is making campaign stops around Texas to keep his seat on the Senate. Jordan Collard
Ted cruz its not a good sanate because his part of the most racist person that’s mean the devil Donal Trump he doesn’t care family separations and people dreams, many people it looking for opportunities in the the United States that’s why they sacrifice they life cross the border, but why you think Ted Cruz it’s support Trump at that stupid Idea, the only thing they gonna do it it’s waist money cuz people don’t gonna stop cross the border they gonna find the way to get the dreams done no the matter what they gonna do to cross the wall because they have a dream to have a better life like American did with the Indian native, Ted Cruz the only thing I’ll tell you it’s please don’t do things that make you not sleep overnight think our Latinas families because we’re and your heans.