On a nationwide basis, Texas Senate candidate Beto O'Rourke is far more popular than Ted Cruz, one of the least appealing people in political history. The challenger has raised an obscene $61.8 million, none of it from political action committees—a figure that blows Cruz's $35.1 million out of the desert. Unfortunately, O'Rourke's fate will be decided by Texans, and only those Texans who actually vote on November 6. In a state with low voter enthusiasm and your standard iterations of Republican-spearheaded voter suppression, every little boost of publicity helps his odds, which is why the recent endorsements of the right-leaning Dallas Morning News and Houston Chronicle might—MIGHT—be significant. From the Morning News: O’Rourke is no conservative Democrat. His positions on taxes, immigration, the judiciary, federal regulations and health care are further to the left than many statewide voters would like. But he is shattering expectations in a state where Democrats haven’t won a statewide race in decades. The dollars he has raised and the number of supporters he has garnered are evidence of an embedded hunger in this state and country for a campaign that’s based on unifying communities. In the divisive times in which we live, we believe that tone and leadership are the top issues with which to judge these candidates' tenures in office. So we’re placing a bet on Beto. Last week, the Chronicle's board also endorsed O'Rourke, awarding him four-and-a-half stars out of five (so, an album of the year contender), while giving Cruz just two stars (so, a Greta Van Fleet record).<doc-sep>The Fort Worth Star-Telegram, the leading newspaper in the third-largest county in Texas, on Friday endorsed Rep. Beto O’Rourke (D) in his Senate race against incumbent Sen. Ted Cruz Rafael (Ted) Edward CruzGOP senators introduce resolution condemning antisemitic violence amid 'horrific' spike in attacks O'Rourke considering Texas governor bid: report Cruz planning resolution to support arms sales to Israel MORE (R). “U.S. Rep. Beto O’Rourke and U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz represent the hard left and right of American politics,” the editorial board wrote. “Neither stands in the middle ground, where the real work is done to lead America.” “But only O’Rourke seems interested in making deals or finding middle ground. That is why the El Paso Democrat would make the best senator for Tarrant County’s future, and the future of Texas,” the editorial board continued. ADVERTISEMENT The Fort Worth Star-Telegram noted that although O’Rourke’s “new way” campaign against politics-as-usual has captured attention and money, the paper added that much of what he says, particularly about immigration and health care, sounds “like what Texas business conservatives used to say before the emergence of New York Republican Donald Trump Donald TrumpTrump lashes out after grand jury seated for New York criminal probe Schumer tees up vote on Jan. 6 commission bill Senators struggle to save Jan. 6 commission MORE.” “U.S. Sen. John Cornyn John CornynSenators struggle to save Jan. 6 commission Overnight Health Care: Moderna says COVID-19 vaccine is 100 percent effective in 12- to 17-year-olds | US achieves full vaccinations for half of adults | Trump on Wuhan lab: Now everyone agrees 'I was right' Senate confirms Biden pick to lead Medicare, Medicaid office MORE says we shouldn’t deport Dreamer students over their parents’ mistakes. Former Gov. Rick Perry Rick PerryTexas governor signs 'fetal heartbeat' abortion bill Tomorrow's special election in Texas is the Democrats' best House hope in 2021 Overnight Energy: Michigan reps reintroduce measure for national 'forever chemicals' standard | White House says gas tax won't be part of infrastructure bill MORE, now energy secretary, has said a border wall ‘doesn’t make sense,’” the editorial board wrote. “President George W. Bush endorsed a path to legal status for those who came illegally but worked peacefully, supported the economy and showed good character.” “These are the same Texas values that O’Rourke now defends,” the newspaper wrote. Though the newspaper pointed out that Cruz and O’Rourke both support free trade, the editorial board claims the Texas Democrat would have “more room to oppose the president’s questionable trade and tariff decisions, which threaten Texas.” “This endorsement did not come without some disagreement,” the editorial board continued. “Cruz is closer to Texas’ and Tarrant County’s views on issues related to faith and values, and also on energy policy.” The newspaper went on to say that Cruz was elected with “no experience in any council or legislature, and it shows.” “His intransigence prevents him from currying support or negotiating deals to help Texas,” the editorial states. The Fort Worth Star-Telegram previously endorsed conservative Republicans such as George W. Bush and Mitt Romney Willard (Mitt) Mitt RomneySchumer tees up vote on Jan. 6 commission bill Senators struggle to save Jan. 6 commission Manchin, Sinema press GOP senators on Jan. 6 commission MORE for president, in addition to Sen. John Cornyn and former Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison. But, in the Texas newspaper’s own words, Cruz “does not measure up.” “This office needs a reset,” the editorial concluded. The Fort Worth Star-Telegram’s endorsement of O’Rourke arrives on the heels of The Houston Chronicle’s endorsement of the Democrat earlier this month and Dallas Morning News’s endorsement on Thursday. The RealClearPolitics polling average shows Cruz with a nearly 7-point lead. The nonpartisan Cook Political Report rates the race a toss-up.<doc-sep>With less than two weeks until the midterm elections, Texas Senate hopeful Beto O'Rourke has won the endorsement of The Dallas Morning News, his second major newspaper endorsement in two weeks. The paper's editorial board, which published its decision the day after pipe bombs were mailed to several key Democratic figures and CNN, said O'Rourke's message of bipartisan unity was best for the state and the country right now. "When, in the course of human events, a people become so divided among themselves that they can no longer engage in meaningful political discourse or even remain civil to one another, it is time to take bold steps forward," the paper's board wrote. "For this reason more than any other, we favor U.S. Representative Beto O'Rourke for U.S. Senate. The pivotal issue before our country is public leadership, and here we believe O'Rourke's tone aligns with what is required now. This inclusive and hopeful tone, along with O'Rourke's approach of starting with shared principles and working toward solutions, offset any policy differences we have with him." Texas Senator Ted Cruz has repeatedly called for civility and respect between parties and politicians as he campaigns for re-election, but his actions at times have betrayed those words. After the attempted bombings on Wednesday, Cruz issued a statement condemning the acts of violence. "Political disagreements are fine, even healthy," he wrote. "But we should be civil and respect each other's humanity." The night before, however, Cruz joked to a rally of Texans that he had a double occupancy jail cell he could lock Beto O'Rourke and Hillary Clinton in together. Their crimes went unnamed, as did the call for due process that he fought for when advocating for the confirmation of Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh. Cruz also made missteps during his two debates against the Democratic congressman from El Paso. When asked to say something nice about his opponent, Cruz compared O'Rourke to Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders and repeatedly called him a socialist (O'Rourke has identified himself as a progressive, not a socialist). While discussing his support for civility in politics during the second debate, Cruz ran out of time and then snapped at the moderator, Jason Whitely, to stop interrupting him. Throughout the campaign, Cruz spread falsehoods about O'Rourke, repeating that O'Rourke supported the burning of the American flag and that he would legalize all narcotics, including heroin. O'Rourke, for his part, also slung a few negative attacks against his opponent this month. During the second debate, the candidate drew upon Cruz's complicated relationship with the president. "Senator Cruz won't be honest with you," O'Rourke said. "He's dishonest. It's why the president called him 'Lyin' Ted' and it's why the nickname stuck. Because it's true." He later told CNN that he regretted his words. "There have been untold dollars spent on TV ads that are lies, that are dishonest, trying to scare you about me," O'Rourke explained. "I decided that I can either spend the debate responding to every single dishonest thing that [Cruz] said, or I could make sure that everyone understood exactly what he's doing. "It's not something that I feel totally comfortable with," O'Rourke said. "And perhaps in the heat of the moment, I took a step too far." Last week, the Houston Chronicle, a paper that is typically conservative in its endorsements, although it did endorse Hillary Clinton for president in 2016, also came out for O'Rourke. "With eyes clear but certainly not starry, we enthusiastically endorse Beto O'Rourke for U.S. Senate. The West Texas congressman's command of issues that matter to this state, his unaffected eloquence and his eagerness to reach out to all Texans make him one of the most impressive candidates this editorial board has encountered in many years," the board wrote in its endorsement. Despite the Clinton endorsement in the last presidetial race, the Chronicle usually throws its support to Republicans, endorsing George W. Bush, Mitt Romney and Ted Cruz himself in 2012. Early voting began on Monday in Texas. Cruz is currently polling about 5 points ahead of O'Rourke among likely voters.<doc-sep>
The Houston Chronicle has endorsed Democrat Beto O'Rourke for US Senate in Texas over the Republican incumbent Sen. Ted Cruz. The newspaper endorsed Cruz in 2012, but this time around, it had some harsh words for the junior senator, saying Cruz has "exhibited little interest in addressing the needs of his fellow Texans during his six years in office." The closely watched race between O'Rourke and Cruz has helped to boost O'Rourke, who raised more than $38 million in the third quarter. However, his chances of becoming Texas' first elected Democratic senator since 1993 are long. The Houston Chronicle has endorsed Democrat Beto O'Rourke for US Senate in Texas over the Republican incumbent Sen. Ted Cruz. The newspaper endorsed Cruz in 2012, but this time around, if had some harsh words for the junior senator, saying Cruz has "exhibited little interest in addressing the needs of his fellow Texans during his six years in office." "He's been running for president since he took the oath of office — more likely since he picked up his class schedule as a 15-year-old ninth-grader at Houston's Second Baptist High School more than three decades ago," the newspaper's editorial board wrote. The closely watched race between O'Rourke and Cruz has helped to boost O'Rourke, who raised more than $38 million in the third quarter from more than 800,000 donors. However, his chances of becoming Texas' first elected Democratic senator since 1993 are long. Voters in Texas and throughout the US will head to the polls on November 6. The Houston Chronicle's editorial board, which endorsed Cruz for the Senate in 2012, said they didn't feel Cruz acted in the interest of his fellow Texans during his time in office. "For Cruz, public office is a private quest; the needs of his constituents are secondary," the editorial board wrote, citing Cruz's decision to vote against a bill that would have provided billions of dollars in funds for hurricane relief. Texans, particularly in Houston, are still recovering from the immense damages from Hurricane Harvey, which devastated the region in August 2017. Despite O'Rourke's campaign drawing tremendous national attention and enthusiasm among liberal voters, the Houston Chronicle acknowledged that it might not be enough to push O'Rourke over the top in November. A CNN/SSRS poll released on Tuesday showed Cruz holding a seven-point lead over O'Rourke among likely voters.