Senator Cruz says O'Rourke appears reluctant to debate

It was supposed to be the most compelling series of political debates in recent Texas history, but U.S. Senate candidates Ted Cruz and Beto O'Rourke still haven't scheduled a single face-to-face meeting.

Earlier this year, both Cruz and O'Rourke publicly committed to at least five debates, but negotiations between the two campaigns have since bogged down.

Now 54 days from the election Senator Cruz appears to be turning up the heat claiming he's been ready and willing to debate for weeks.

Cruz says it was Democrat O'Rourke who called off a debate in Dallas two weeks ago and appears to be putting off their head to head clash on the issues important to Texas.

"He continues to seem pretty reluctant to debate, but I think we will see debates and I am looking forward to having the opportunity to present our very different record and our very different policies that we are fighting for," said Cruz.

The O'Rourke campaign downplayed Cruz's provocative comments.

"As Senator Cruz knows, the campaigns have been in open and productive discussions to set up debate details. We are looking forward to them," said Chris Evans, O'Rourke campaign spokesman.