2018 Texas US Senate Voters Guide

Ted Cruz (R) vs Beto O’Rourke (D)

US Senate | Election | Nov 6, 2018

The Candidates

Ted Cruz

Ted Cruz

Republican

Incumbent
Beto O’Rourke

Beto O’Rourke

Democrat

The Issues

Campaign Finance

Require political ads to disclose their largest funders? Stand on Citizens United decision, allowing unlimited political donations from corporations & unions?

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Climate Change

Consider human-caused climate change a serious threat?

Limit or tax production of greenhouse gases? Support US participation in Paris Climate Accord despite President Trump’s withdrawal?

Beto O’Rourke (D)

Limit greenhouse gases. “Need to take unprecedented action” in building clean energy economy. Opposes withdrawing from Paris Accord.

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Contraception

Employers can withhold contraceptive coverage if disagree?

Ted Cruz (R)

Yes. Proposed bill to allow that.

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Courts

Support Judge Kavanaugh nomination? (before recent allegations)

Ted Cruz (R)

Yes, though initially believed Kavanaugh was not conservative enough.

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Economy

Support federal spending as a means of promoting economic growth?

Support Trump’s imposition of tariffs on steel & other products?

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Education

Help parents send their children to private schools with public money?

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Elections

Support nonpartisan redistricting to address charges of partisan gerrymandering?

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Environment

Support cutbacks of Environmental Protection Administration?

Ted Cruz (R)
Beto O’Rourke (D)

No. Ensure EPA’s funding & independence  “to exercise oversight of those harming the environment.”

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Gay Rights

Support gay marriage?

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Gun Control

Support more restrictive gun control legislation?

Ted Cruz (R)

No. Led fight not to ban assault weapons. Calls gun control efforts “tiresome.”

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Immigration

Support path to citizenship for “DACA” recipients or “Dreamers,” who grew up in US after coming as children?

Beto O’Rourke (D)

Protect Dreamers. “As American as my kids… & have done everything we’ve asked of them.” Supports earned path to citizenship for millions here illegally.

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Iran

Support Trump’s withdrawal from treaty that limits Iran’s nuclear capability in return for lifting economic sanctions?

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Minimum Wage

Raise the federal minimum wage from current $7.25/hr?

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Net Neutrality

Require internet providers to provide equal access to all?

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President Trump

Percentage of key votes supporting Trump’s positions.

Ted Cruz (R)

Voted 91% with Trump (as of 9/30/18).

Beto O’Rourke (D)

Voted 29% with Trump (as of 9/30/18).

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Privatization

Support full or partial privatization of Social Security?

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Renewable Energy

Support government subsidies for renewable energy?

Ted Cruz (R)

No. Opposes energy subsidies for any form of energy. Washington shouldn’t “be picking winners & losers.”

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Student Debt & Financial Aid

Refinance student loans at lower rates, by increasing taxes on high earners (Elizabeth Warren bill)? Increase federal aid, like Pell Grants?

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Neal Dikeman (L) is also running. Due to limited space, we can only include candidates who poll 15% or higher, but encourage you to check out his website.

guides.vote is a nonpartisan effort to show where candidates stand, with links to credible sources. We do not support or oppose any political party or candidate for office. Vote411.org offers guides to local races.

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Ted Cruz

republican Party

Candidate Image

Beto O’Rourke

democratic Party

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Ted Cruz

republican

Beto O’Rourke

democratic

See guides.vote for online guides with links & sources http://tedcruz.org/ http://betofortexas.com/
Abortion

Mostly ban or mostly legal?

Ban. No exceptions for rape or incest. “horrible as that crime is, I don’t believe it’s the child’s fault.”Legal. Ensure abortions are rare, but trust women to make their own decisions without government interference.
Campaign Finance

Require political ads to disclose their largest funders? Stand on Citizens United decision, allowing unlimited political donations from corporations & unions?

No. Opposes DISCLOSE Act, as it raises “grave constitutional concern for speech protected by the First Amendment.” Supports Citizens United as aid to 1st Amendment free speech protections.Yes. Co-sponsored DISCLOSE Act to “shine light on the unlimited, secret spending flooding American elections,” including foreign influence. Supreme Court should end Citizens United.
Climate Change

Consider human-caused climate change a serious threat?

No. Doesn’t believe it’s real. Says data disproving it is being ignored as liberals want government power over economy, energy sector & all aspects of our lives.Yes. “Crucial now more than ever that US & world leaders act urgently to address” it. Climate change increases droughts, wildfires, hurricanes, & other disasters.
Contraception

Employers can withhold contraceptive coverage if disagree?

Yes. Proposed bill to allow that.No. Discriminates by ignoring contraception’s role in women’s health.
Courts

Support Judge Kavanaugh nomination? (before recent allegations)

Yes, though initially believed Kavanaugh was not conservative enough.No. His positions do not line up with values & interests of Texans.
Economy

Support federal spending as a means of promoting economic growth?

No. Choice between more & more spending & individual liberty.Yes. Supports investment in areas like infrastructure & education.
Education

Help parents send their children to private schools with public money?

Yes. Called “civil rights issue of our time.” Introduced bill to allow tax deduction for costs of private & religious schools.No. It funnels public school $ into private schools. “Ted Cruz’s private school give-away will cost taxpayers $500 million to subsidize wealthy.”
Elections

Support nonpartisan redistricting to address charges of partisan gerrymandering?

No. Political gerrymandering is legitimate, though not racial gerrymandering.Yes. “Empower communities by making sure voters can pick their representatives, not the other way.”
Environment

Support cutbacks of Environmental Protection Administration?

No statement found, but opposed Obama EPA’s Clean Power Plan & said EPA ran amok under Obama.No. Ensure EPA’s funding & independence  “to exercise oversight of those harming the environment.”
Financial Regulation

Support cutbacks in Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB)?

Yes. Abolish CFPB. “Free consumers & small businesses from the CFPB’s regulatory blockades… which stunt economic growth.”No. “Protecting consumers from predatory financial behavior & this country from another economic meltdown, should transcend politics.”
Gay Rights

Support gay marriage?

No. Sponsored amendment to define marriage as between man & a woman.Yes.
Gun Control

Support more restrictive gun control legislation?

No. Led fight not to ban assault weapons. Calls gun control efforts “tiresome.”Yes. Supports universal background checks & banning assault-style weapons.
Health Care

Support or Repeal Affordable Care Act (ACA), known as Obamacare?

Absolutely repeal. Caused millions to lose their jobs, be forced into part-time work, lose health insurance & doctors & pay skyrocketing premiums.Keep  but improve, including public option. Repeal would reduce healthcare access & benefits, make health insurance less affordable.
Immigration

Support path to citizenship for “DACA” recipients or “Dreamers,” who grew up in US after coming as children?

No. End DACA. No path to citizenship to Dreamers or anyone else who violates immigration laws.Protect Dreamers. “As American as my kids… & have done everything we’ve asked of them.” Supports earned path to citizenship for millions here illegally.
Iran

Support Trump’s withdrawal from treaty that limits Iran’s nuclear capability in return for lifting economic sanctions?

Yes. Applauded withdrawal, saying agreement didn’t sufficiently rein in Iran’s nuclear program.No. Agreement, while imperfect, was “best path to keep Iran from having nuclear weapons.”
Marijuana

Legalize or decriminalize marijuana?

Personally opposed to legalization, but states should choose for themselves.Yes. Long-time legalization advocate. Sponsored bill to end federal prohibition.
Minimum Wage

Raise the federal minimum wage from current $7.25/hr?

No. “Raising the minimum wage would cost jobs for the most vulnerable.”Yes. Supports increasing to $15/hr.
Net Neutrality

Require internet providers to provide equal access to all?

No. Net neutrality puts government in charge of pricing, products & services.Yes. Rolling back net neutrality hurts democracy, the arts & innovation.
President Trump

Percentage of key votes supporting Trump’s positions.

Voted 91% with Trump (as of 9/30/18).Voted 29% with Trump (as of 9/30/18).
Privatization

Support full or partial privatization of Social Security?

Partial. Supports private savings accounts for Social Security.No. Opposes privatization.
Renewable Energy

Support government subsidies for renewable energy?

No. Opposes energy subsidies for any form of energy. Washington shouldn’t “be picking winners & losers.”Yes. Strong supporter. Continue tapping current energy sources while giving incentives for renewable sources.
Student Debt & Financial Aid

Refinance student loans at lower rates, by increasing taxes on high earners (Elizabeth Warren bill)? Increase federal aid, like Pell Grants?

No. Opposed Warren bill because of tax increase for people making over $1 million. Proposed 2013 budget amendment that lowered Pell Grant funding & required higher payments for school loans.Yes. Co-sponsored Elizabeth Warren bill Also supports increasing Pell Grant funding & subsidized student loans.
Taxes

Support President Trump’s tax cuts?

Yes. Played key role in crafting plan. Would make individual tax cuts permanent.No. Disproportionately benefit wealthy with 83% of breaks going to top 1%. Trickle-down economics doesn’t work.
Voting Rights

Support stricter voting rules such as voter ID requirements, even if they prevent some people from voting?

Yes. “Commonsense protection” “to prevent illegal voter fraud.” Supported TX voter ID law which federal court rejected, comparing to a “poll tax” on minorities.No. “It’s deeply cynical” for Texas to implement laws that knowingly make it more difficult for African-American & Latino voters to cast their ballots.”

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