Democrat Beto O’Rourke pushed back on attacks from Texas Republican Sen. Ted Cruz that he supports revoking Americans’ right to own guns, saying he “fully” supports the Second Amendment.
O’Rourke supports judges “that would undermine and effectively write the Second Amendment out of the Constitution,” Cruz said during the first debate with O’Rourke, who is challenging Cruz for his Senate seat in Texas.
Cruz added that O’Rourke’s position on the Second Amendment is “radical” and extreme,” eliciting a “that’s not true” from O’Rourke.
Ignoring moderators, Cruz asked, “in what way, name a judge you’ve ever supported.” Cruz repeatedly tried to tether O’Rourke to Hillary Clinton throughout the debate.
“Of course I support the Second Amendment,” O’Rourke said. “You may not understand how the House and the Senate work, but it’s your job in the Senate to decide if you’re going to support or not support a given nominee.”
The testy exchange was one of many during the first debate between O’Rourke, a four-term El Paso congressman, and Cruz, who is seeking a second term. No one expected Cruz to have a real challenge on his hands, but O’Rourke has steadily risen in the polls, and has outraised Cruz handily. On Friday, nonpartisan forecaster Cook Political Report changed the rating of the race from “lean Republican” to a toss-up.
President Trump plans to hold a rally for Cruz in the coming month.
