Big news out of Texas today:
Rep. Beto O'Rourke released his first ad Thursday in his campaign to unseat Sen. Ted Cruz -- a 60-second web spot that uses iPhone video from his quest to visit all 254 Texas counties.
The ad doesn't refer to Cruz. But it's titled "Showing Up" and it emphasizes physical presence in Texas -- underscoring criticism that the senator neglected his home state during a presidential bid launched just 26 months after taking office.
The El Paso Democrat hits that theme often, and he asserts on his website that Texans deserve a "full-time, full service Senator."
"Showing Up" will be released online only, campaign spokesman Chris Evans said.
O'Rourke has been socking away campaign cash at a breakneck pace. But with just under 100 days to go, neither side has begun a costly TV blitz.
During the second quarter of this year, the challenger raised more than $10 million. That puts his war chest at $14 million, compared to Cruz's $10.4 million, according to federal filings, and he has raised $10 million more than Cruz in the 16 months since he jumped into the race.
And in other news:
U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, has challenged Democratic opponent Beto O'Rourketo five topical debates before Election Day, about three months after O'Rourke challenged Cruz to six.
Cruz strategist Jeff Roe sent a letter Wednesday to O'Rourke, an El Paso congressman, proposing the following debate schedule:
- Aug. 31 in Dallas on "Jobs/Taxes/Federal Regulations/National Economy"
- Sept. 14 in McAllen on "Immigration/Border Security/Criminal Justice/Supreme Court"
- Sept. 21 in San Antonio on "Foreign Policy/National Security"
- Oct. 5 in Houston on "Energy/Trade/Texas Economy"
- Oct. 12 in Lubbock on "Healthcare/Obamacare"
Roe said the debates would all take place on Friday evenings "because the Senate is expected to be in session during that time." The debates would each be an hour long and vary in format — some would be town hall-style, while others would feature the two candidates seated or standing at podiums.
Let’s keep up the momentum and flip this seat. Click here to donate and get involved with Beto’s campaign.