Republican Sen. Ted Cruz and Democratic Rep. Colin Allred will face off this Tuesday night in Dallas in the only debate for the Texas Senate race. Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the debate.
The debate will begin at 7 p.m. Central time at WFAA’s studio in Dallas. WFAA will broadcast the event live, but it will also be streamed across the TEGNA Texas stations and apps. According to the Austin American-Statesman, this includes:
- WFAA-TV
- KHOU-TV
- KVUE-TV
- KENS-TV
- KCEN-TV
- KAGS-TV
- KYTX-TV
- KIII-TV
- KBMT-TV
- KXVA-TV
- KIDY-TV
- KCIT-TV
- KFDA-TV
- KVIA-TV
- KMYL-LP
- KMYL-TV
- KRGV-TV
- KGBT-TV
- C-SPAN
- KTBS-TV
- KAVU-TV
- KFDX-TV
- C-SPAN
- WBAP Radio
- KXDJ Radio
- Marfa Public Radio
- Radio Bilingue
The debate will not have a present audience and WFAA’s senior political reporter Jason Whitley and The Dallas Morning News’ political writer Fromer Jeffers Jr. will co-moderate the event.
According to the Dallas Morning News, each candidate will have 60 seconds to introduce themselves and 90 seconds to answer questions. Then, their opponents will have 90 seconds to respond, and the first candidate will have 60 seconds for a rebuttal.
In addition, moderators would have the power to give 60 additional seconds for a follow-up answer.
Each candidate will have one minute for closing remarks.
Allred will speak first, as he won two coin tosses last week and was given the opportunity to choose whether to speak first. Cruz will speak last.
This debate comes as the Texas Senate race has become tighter over the past days. Recently, a leaked internal GOP poll showed Cruz only one point ahead of Allred. Democrats have been pouring money into Texas, perceiving Cruz as one of the few vulnerable Republicans this election cycle.
According to the Associated Press, the two candidates have raised close to $100 million, making it one of the most expensive races in the country.
Odds are still favoring Cruz, as most of the polls show him leading Allred and Texas is still a strong Republican stronghold. However, it is true that Cruz has been losing support and this debate could help him to cement his victory or could lead him closer to defeat.
