First debate complete for Ted Cruz, Beto O'Rourke

DALLAS (FOX 26) - The U.S. Senate showdown in Texas! Senator Ted Cruz and Congressman Beto O'Rourke debated each other for the first time on Friday night.   

It is one of the costliest, most polarizing, and closely-watched races of the midterm elections, and for the first time, voters will watch the candidates go head-to-head for an hour. 

The first of three debates between Sen. Cruz and U.S. Rep. O'Rourke took place in Dallas at Southern Methodist University on Friday night.

The candidates discussed immigration, tax reductions, the Second Amendment and more.

Sen. Cruz had taken part in a rally at a restaurant near Johnson Space Center on Thursday night. He discussed improving school safety while protecting Second Amendment rights in the aftermath of the Santa Fe High School mass shooting. Cruz also spoke about reducing taxes and "pulling back job killing regulations to help small businesses prosper."

Congressman O'Rourke took part in a campaign event at Prairie View A&M University on Wednesday where he spoke in support of Planned Parenthood and promoted the need to repair the criminal justice system. He also discussed education equity to end the "school-to-prison pipeline." U.S. Rep. O'Rourke also spoke in favor of "leading in immigration to help fill job openings."

As far as fundraising goes, O'Rourke has flown ahead, amassing more than $23 million. Cruz acknowledged O'Rourke has outraised his campaign substantially.

"When Beto O'Rourke came out and committed to voting to impeach President Trump, he raised millions of dollars," said Cruz. "When he said he was, quote, open to abolishing ICE, abolishing the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency, he raised millions of dollars across the country."

"In a campaign that has not accepted a dime from political action committees, no help from corporations or special interests, it will be up to the people of Texas to decide our and by extension, the country's future, fate and fortune," said O'Rourke.

The polls are all over the place, but a Real Clear Politics average of the recent polls shows Ted Cruz is winning by 4.5 percent over Beto O'Rourke. 

The midterm election is now just 46 days away on Nov. 6.