If you live in Texas during election time, the campaigns for all these different positions seem to be confusing- even for those informed. But one of the most important choices to make is who to place in the US Senate to represent Texas. It is crucial to be informed in order to make a decision that you, as the next generation, are going to be satisfied with who takes the position in the Senate. Although these two candidates may have opposite views, they share the same thoughts or opinions as voters who want to contribute their input through their vote.
Beginning with the most talked about candidate, Beto O’Rourke has caught national attention of many people of all ages. US Representative O’Rourke is a Democrat Congressmen. O’Rourke serves on the House Committees for Armed Services and Veterans Affairs. Throughout his campaign, O’Rourke’s goal was to personally visit every part of Texas no matter what party they are affiliated with because according to O’Rourke, “all Texans deserve an accountable, full-time, full-service Senator who’s committed to working tirelessly for our state”. His campaign is based on several hot-button topics ranging from gun safety to immigration, while still having full respect for all people. For one of the more controversial topics, gun safety, O’Rourke wants to require background checks for all gun sales to ensure guns are only in the hands of responsible citizens. Also, he proposes to stop selling “weapons designed for war” to prevent them from being used in public places to hurt people. Another subject that O’Rourke is passionate about is immigration, which is an important focus of this election. His goal is to end the militarization on the border to stop the locking up of families in detention centers and also reform the immigration laws to legalize the status of millions of immigrants who are already living in the United States. Finally, one of the most meaningful promises is to ensure equality by making sure that all Americans are paid equally and treated fairly, regardless of their gender. More so, he makes the point that people from the LGBTQ community should feel safe in any place they live in. O’Rourke’s purpose is to spread his goal “that we are all treated with dignity and respect, meeting the small, petty and divisive politics of this age with a confidence, courage and strength that could only come from Texas.”
On the complete opposite side of the spectrum, Republican candidate current US Senator Ted Cruz, is also very popular in the state of Texas. Cruz is a prominent supporter and strong defender of the Constitution as the current senator for Texas. Cruz is the advocate in Washington for smaller government, job growth, individual liberty, and the national sovereignty. He is a leading voice for economic policies and regulatory reforms that target job growth. Widely recognized as a bold defender of the Constitution, Cruz understands that the freedoms we enjoy should be protected and preserved for future generations. Through the choices Cruz has made in the US Senate, he makes sure he has defended the Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms. He has led the fight to stop amnesty, supported creative solutions to fund the border security, also passed legislation to fund and guide NASA, and finally, he has advocated for the military. By using the same topic, immigration, Cruz introduced the EL CHAPO Act to direct funds forfeited after the conviction of drug cartel members in order to construct a wall on the southern border of the United States. Regarding the topic of gun safety, Cruz has very strong beliefs toward legislation that would strengthen citizens’ Second Amendment rights and allow interstate firearms sales and to influence Congress to stop legislation that would restrict the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding Americans.
At last, Cruz’s definition of equality is very different from his opponent. He introduced legislation to protect states’ Tenth Amendment right to define marriage as between one man and one woman and upheld individuals’ First Amendment right to religious liberty. He has drawn attention to attempts by the Senate to repeal free speech provisions enshrined in the First Amendment. Ted Cruz’s intentions make sure “that [his] record is consistent, conservative, and clear: Ted Cruz works for Texas”.
With less than a month away from voting day, people are already thinking about their decision. Every poll is different depending on who it comes from and how recent it is because it is true that people can change their mind. As November 6th gets closer, more people continue to participate on voicing their opinions and choosing a candidate that aligns with their beliefs and the future of the state they want to see implemented.
Whichever person you decide to vote for would appreciate doing the duty as a young citizen to elect the politicians the people want to see, instead of complaining for the next number of years, when politics becomes something of everyday life. The greatest impact you can make, is voting for the person the youth and the next generation will have the opportunity to be satisfied. Taking the responsible and mature step forward by casting a sincere vote, a vote that will undeniably shape the future to come.