We have a tight race in Texas. Current senator Ted Cruz is hoping to be reelected as senator of the Lone Star State but has some competition this time. Beto O’Rourke, the Democratic candidate seeking the seat in the senate has had an increasing following and is currently 3 points behind Cruz at the polls. O’Rourke has traveled to all 254 counties in Texas, something Cruz did not even attempt. O’Rourke has obtained recognition all over the state for his presence and dedication to his campaign. Beto has proved through his campaign that he cares about all Texans, regardless of race, ethnicity, or socioeconomic status. An important aspect of Beto’s campaign is the involvement of the community. Beto refuses to take money from PACs (Political Action Committees) that can influence the decisions of politicians due to the donations they receive. All of the money Beto has raised has come from the people, the average donation being $30. In contrast, Cruz obtains all his money from PACs, including money from the NRA, which of course makes sense as to why Cruz does nothing to stop gun violence.
Personally, I voted for Beto O’Rourke because I believe in him and his campaign. He doesn’t just care about the white and affluent communities but has a great focus on supporting minorities as well, unlike Cruz who I am certain does not care about anyone that is not white or who cannot make any big monetary contributions to him. When you come from a community in which you are constantly reminded that your vote doesn’t matter, the likelihood of people going out to vote is minimized. Many times, the people that are affected the most by the laws and regulations of this country, are the ones who don’t show up to the polls. However, something is different this year. I guess you could say there’s hope, hope that minorities’ voices will be heard, hope that we will be protected and hope that change is possible, especially with candidates like O’Rourke. Early voting among young people in Texas has increased by 508% and Hispanic and African-American voter rates have more than doubled. It’s a tough battle but we are still hopeful that the usual red state of Texas turns blue.