On Tuesday, Oct. 15, Texas senate candidates Democratic House Representative Colin Allred and current Republican Senator Ted Cruz met in Dallas to discuss issues that Texans face today. The debate was moderated by WFAA’s Senior Political Reporter Jason Whitely and Gromer Jeffers from the Dallas Morning News. The candidates were given a 60-second introduction, 90 seconds to respond to a question and another 90 seconds for a rebuttal answer. Following the rebuttal, the candidates were given another 60 seconds to refute their opponent’s rebuttals.
Abortion
The moderators started with the topic of abortion. “So tonight, the question is, where do you stand on this? And we’re asking for your personal opinion as a Texan and as a father,” said the moderator. The first to speak on this issue was Cruz, who answered, “We overwhelmingly support that parents should be notified and have to consent before their child gets an abortion in Texas. We overwhelmingly agree that late-term abortions in the 8th and 9th months, that’s too extreme. I’ll tell you in Texas, we overwhelmingly agree that taxpayer money shouldn’t pay for abortions.”
Allred responded to the question, by providing examples of the consequences of the abortion ban. “Talk to Amanda Zurawski, who’s watching right now, and explain to her why it’s perfectly reasonable that, because she had a complication in her pregnancy and was denied care [for] so long, that she may never be able to have children of her own, or to the 26,000 Texas women who’ve been forced to give birth to their rapist child under this law that you called perfectly reasonable. It’s not, this is not freedom.” Allred ended by saying he “trusts Texas women to make their own decision.”
The Border
Allred was asked by moderators why he changed his position when it comes to the border after starting his answer talking about his Brownsville roots and how he personally saw how the issue affected Texas. “I believe in physical barriers as part of a comprehensive strategy to secure the border,” Allred said. He then went on to say that Cruz does nothing to solve the issue, pointing out that he struck down the border bill, a Bipartisan Border Security Agreement that would give funding for border operations and resources for those who come into Texas.
Allred also said that “borders are a part of security but, we also need to fix our system and make sure we have a lot of immigration lawyers to help people who are coming into Texas.” Following Allred’s response, Cruz started attacking Allred by mentioning how he hasn’t done anything in his time of service, then continued by claiming Allred is “going to tear down the wall because he voted against the border wall.”
During his speaking time, Cruz stated, “It’s a pattern we’ve seen actually at the presidential level because it’s what Kamala Harris does as well and understand at home, Colin Allred is Kamala Harris. Their records are the same. I’ve served with both of them. They voted in favor of open borders over and over and over again.”
Cruz then continued, “A couple of years ago, Allred said, you know, I don’t hear much about the border here in Dallas. It’s not a top-of-mind issue and I gotta say I’ve represented Dallas in the whole state for 12 years. I hear about it everywhere I go. I heard about it in Dallas.” and continued with “The folks there are concerned about the Dallas woman who Venezuelan gangs broke into her house. Venezuelan illegal immigrants that Joe Biden and Kamala Harris released”
Economy
Moderators started by mentioning the high cost of home and auto insurance for Texans, then asked both candidates if insurance needed a Federal solution.
Cruz responded first by saying no, it should be handled at a state level. He then went on to mention how inflation was caused by Harris and Allred because they spent money and borrowed from China without care.
Allred’s response to this question was no, insurance is better handled on the local/state level, and that he is focusing on lowering healthcare and medication like insulin.
Cruz then went on to rebuttal by saying that “Harris and Allred used $300 billion from Medicare and used it to pay for health insurance for illegal aliens. Which is driving up the cost of healthcare which he will make affordable for Texans.”
Transgender rights
Moderators asked the candidates: “Where do you stand on transgender athletes and women’s sports?”
Allred began by bringing up Cruz by saying, “This is a desperate last-second attempt by Senator Cruz to distract you because he can’t defend his own record” then said “Of course, I don’t support these ridiculous things that he’s talking about. But what he wants you to think about is kids in bathrooms. So, you’re not thinking about women in hospitals because it’s indefensible.” This response left the question unanswered.
Cruz started by attacking Allred by saying “He has come out for men playing in women’s sports, for boys, playing in girls’ sports. He is a cosponsor, and he voted for a law called the Equality Act. The Equality Act mandated that boys be able to go into girl’s bathrooms in their locker rooms and their changing rooms. He voted for it.” Cruz failed to answer the question and instead went on to mention how Allred joined “radical Democrats” in “demanding that our military allow drag shows on military bases” and “pay for soldiers to get sex changes with taxpayer money.”
Allred’s argument to Cruz’s response was “What I think is that folks should not be discriminated against.”
Cruz was then asked by moderators about Texans being worried about the safety and well-being of people featured in Cruz’s controversial ads. Cruz went on to say that “we protect every child and person regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, sexual identity against violent crime and discrimination,” but then brought up the Democrats “allowing for drag shows in military bases.”
Allred responded by mentioning the Equality Act and how it was endorsed by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
January 6
Moderators asked both candidates if they would support pardoning the rioters who participated in Jan. 6.
The first response was from Cruz, who said, “Anyone who commits an act of violence should go to jail and [I] will stand with law enforcement and for securing Texas’ southern border.”
Allred’s response to the question was him saying to Cruz “You can’t be for the mob on January 6th and for the officers, you can’t. It’s not funny because you’re a threat to democracy.” He continued by saying that Cruz cannot be for pardoning rioters and for supporting incarcerating those who rioted and said, “You can’t just be patriotic when your side wins.”
Cruz rebutted by saying that “the far left is angry and full of hate. Allred’s record is radical and extreme.” he continued by saying “You wanna talk about threats to democracy? Let’s take a vote that just happened a few weeks ago on the floor of the house, the Save Act. The Save Act provided that in order to register to vote, you gotta prove you’re an American citizen. Congressman. Allred voted. no. 11.5 million illegal immigrants have come into this country under Harris and Allred’s open border policies and Congressman Allred votes no to protecting our elections and ensuring that people don’t vote illegally.”
Foreign Policy
Moderators asked both candidates, “How would you hold Hamas accountable for the worst terrorist attack in Israeli history on Oct. 7?”
Allred went on to answer first by saying that the war is of choice for Hamas, and “Israel has a right to defend itself.” He also said that there needs to be “strengthening ties between Israelis and Palestinians because they both deserve a future.” He said that “there needs to be a settlement made and we need to hold Hamas accountable.” Allred finished off by saying that he voted for humanitarian aid for Gaza, while Cruz voted against it.
Cruz then responded by saying that he is “the leading defender for Israel, is proud to stand with Israel and America should stand only with Israel.” Cruz then went on to say how he “does not support anti-semitic protests on college campuses and that anti-Semitic protestors are Allred’s biggest supporters.”
Allred then responded by saying that the U.S. along with Israel and Palestine “need to find a diplomatic settlement” Cruz then said that Biden and Harris are going to “flow money to Gaza and give to Hamas but they are going to freeze weapons to Israel.”
Cruz continues by saying that Allred is “echoing the calls of the enemies of Israel,” saying “ceasefire now” and Cruz mentioned how the pagers against Hezbollah were the “most targeted and effective military actions ever.” Cruz then goes on to say that Allred is “proud to be supported by the radical left that undermines Israel.” He says that Allred “wants votes of the anti-semitism on college campuses.”
Moderators then moved on and asked another question: “Do you believe Israel bears any responsibility for the civilian deaths and humanitarian crisis in Gaza?”
Cruz responded by saying that “the people of Israel are victims, that the World Court and International Court of Justice is filled with anti-Semites and that Hamas uses their civilians as human shields.”
Allred then went on to answer by saying that “Hamas is a terrorist organization that hides among civilian populists” and how he “wants to prevent unneeded civilian suffering,” which he says he “has a focus on aid for innocent civilians in Gaza because it is our responsibility.”
Cruz refuted his answer by saying that “Allred signed with left-wing Democrats to send money that will go to Hamas to be used for terrorism acts against Israel,” and said, “Harris and Biden waived anti-terrorism laws.” Cruz finished off by saying that “he will stand with Israel to destroy Hamas.”
Economy
Moderators mentioned how Allred did not sign a letter to bring down food prices, then asked, “What is your idea to bring down food prices?”
Allred answered by giving a personal anecdote and how he has been focusing on controlling Texans’ costs, lowering the price of groceries where he can and how “we need to invest in a new generation of housing and lower the price of housing as well.”
Cruz responded by saying that “It is not ok for parents to cut back from work they; need to go to work.” He then went on to say how “Allred has undermined farmers and ranchers,” but he is “fighting for their rights to survive because the cost of energy hurts but that cost is because of Harris’ and Allred’s war on Texas oil and gas.”
Allred was then asked by moderators, “How do you lower food prices?”
He answered by saying “Agencies are responsible for food prices. They need to look into it because it is their responsibility.” After that, he went on to say that he opposed Joe Biden’s pause on LNG exports because “It is wrong for Texas energy and national security” and he “will be a defender of Texas energy economy.”
In vitro fertilization
Both candidates were for the protection of fertility treatment, so moderators asked, “If both protect IVF, why hasn’t it happened?”
Cruz answered by saying he would protect IVF, and Democrats have objected to protecting IVF because they want to keep campaigning on the issue.
Allred said,” IVF didn’t need to be protected until Cruz was responsible for putting it at risk.” He then mentioned how when Cruz ran in 2016, he was for banning contraceptives and IVF.
Cruz argued by saying he protected IVF and said Democrats voted against it. “Collin can’t be bipartisan because he voted fully Democrat for 2-4 years with Biden and Pelosi.” Then compared Allred to Nancy Pelosi.
Affordable Housing
Moderators then moved on to the next topic and said “I want to ask you this question. Kamala Harris Congressman. She wants to give $25,000 and down payment assistance to people wanting to buy their first homes. She’s also proposing a $40 billion innovation fund to build more affordable houses in Texas. The question tonight. Do you support those?”
Allred responded by saying “We need to focus on increasing housing supply and build more affordable housing.” He continued, “We should lower the cost, increase supply and invest in infrastructure.”
After Allred gave his response, Cruz argued that housing costs are up because of illegal immigrants let in with the open border by stating “When it comes to housing, nothing is driving up housing costs as powerfully as the 11.5 million illegal immigrants that Congressman Allred and Kamala Harris have let in with their open borders and they wanna keep letting in.”
Allred was then asked by the moderator, “How do you pay for that?”
Allred answered by saying “Because there are certain investments that bring back more than what you put into it. When you have a housing shortage, you have to build more housing because that’s driving up every other cost.”
Closing statement
In his closing statement, Allred said, “We are all Texans. We might’ve come on a different ship, but we are on the same boat now. We’re all Americans; we’re all Texans. We need a leader who will bring us together around our shared values. That’s what I’ve tried to do in my six years in Congress.”
Allred continued, “That’s the exact opposite of what Senator Cruz has done whatever he says tonight you’ve seen for 12 years. He’s been one of the most divisive senators in the entire country. If you don’t like how things are going in Washington, you know what he is singularly responsible for it.” Allred ended his closing statement by asking for Texans to vote and support him in this election.
In his closing statement, Cruz said, “The stakes in this election are the highest of my lifetime: Congressman Allred and Kamala Harris are both running on the same radical agenda running on the same radical agenda. Congressman Allred has pledged to be the 50th vote for Chuck Schumer to end the filibuster to end the requirement of 60 votes to pass major legislation.
“That means if Congressman Allred is elected we will see the democrats strike down every voter integrity law in the country, add DC and Puerto Rico as states to give them four New Democrat senators, grant immediate voting rights to every illegal alien in America that would turn Texas blue and every statewide elected official in Texas would be defeated in the next election, pack the US Supreme Court that would jeopardize our fundamental rights.”
“I’ve spent 12 years fighting every single day to defend jobs and freedom and security. Congressman Allred wants to destroy what we’ve got in Texas because he shared Nancy Pelosi and Kamala Harris’s values. I will fight to keep Texas, Texas.”
To watch the full debate visit the WFAA Youtube page hosted by the Dallas, Texas ABC affiliate television station.
