Republican U.S. Senator Ted Cruz and his Democratic challenger, Rep. Beto O'Rourke, spent most of the day Tuesday campaigning in San Antonio.
More than 100 supporters turned out to greet O'Rourke at Brook Hollow Library near Bitters and U.S. 281. The crowd was so large campaign staffers told them to move a block over to make sure electioneering was not occurring too near a polling site as required by law.
Under a light drizzle and cool temperatures, the hoarse-sounding O'Rourke spoke to his followers through a bullhorn and told them record voter turnout across the state is good news for his campaign.
"I'm gonna feel better than I sound or than I look knowing that so many of you are voting today,” he said. “So many of you voted yesterday. So many turnout records across Texas right now.”
He ended the short speech by calling for a raise for teachers, universal health care for all, and immigration reform that leaves room for “the Dreamers” brought here young by their parents illegally, but through no fault of their own.
“We will rewrite our own immigration laws in our own image to reflect our pride, the profound positive effect and impact immigrants have on our communities, leaving Dreamers free of fear of deportation.” he said.
At Cruz’s rally, a couple of hundred supporters lined up in drizzly weather outside the Buckhorn Saloon downtown before filing inside to hear from their candidate.
Cruz was introduced by San Antonio's John Cornyn, the senior U.S. senator from Texas.
Cruz, who has maintained a lead in the polls over O'Rourke, urged more Hispanics to join his campaign, touting what he called “the lowest unemployment numbers ever for Hispanics” under this Republican administration.
"You know the Democrats like to tell Hispanic voters that, well gosh, you've got to vote for the Democrats,” Cruz said. “Well, that's true if you don't like jobs; if you don't like prosperity; if you don't like your family staying safe; if you don't like keeping America safe; other than that, it's really compelling to vote for the Democrats."
Finally, he reminded the crowd that O'Rourke is for more gun control.
"Look, I understand that Beto thinks that if somebody comes into your home and tries to attack your family that the answer is to take out your skateboard and hit them with it,” Cruz said. “Well, ... that's not true. … Maybe you throw your triple mocha latte at them."
Early voting ends Nov. 2. Election Day is Nov. 6.
