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Ted Cruz and Beto O'Rourke face off in final debate

Sen. Ted Cruz (R) and Congressman Beto O'Rourke (D) faced off in their final scheduled in San Antonio Tuesday.

SAN ANTONIO — Sen. Ted Cruz (R) and Congressman Beto O'Rourke (D) faced off in their final scheduled debate ahead of the November midterm election in San Antonio Tuesday.

Days before the debate, several polls were released showing Senator Cruz has a notable lead, ranging from seven to nine points ahead of his challenger. Political analysts said O'Rourke would have to show some teeth to stay competitive in an attempt to sway undecided voters and he did that Tuesday night, often launching the first attack.

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The debate, which was hosted by Tegna, included several heated exchanges and even a brief argument from Cruz over the time allotted time for rebuttals.

Moderator Jason Whitely asked Cruz about his stance on climate change, noting the Senator has previously said there is no evidence to support climate change. Cruz acknowledged the existence of climate change during the debate.

"The climate will change as long as we have Planet Earth," Cruz said.

"Far too many Democrats approach this as not as a matter of science. I think we should follow the science and follow the evidence but instead they approach it as government power, they want the power to control the economy," he added.

O'Rourke struck back.

"Senator Cruz is not going to be honest with you. He's going to make up positions or votes. He's dishonest. That's why President Trump called him 'lying Ted' and that's why the nickname stuck, because it's true," O'Rourke said.

The candidates also exchanged heated words on the topic of tariffs. When asked if the Senate should intervene in the current tariffs the President has levied against Americas allies, Cruz responded, "I am against tariffs. I'm against a trade war." He went on to say he has a relationship with President Trump and is able to talk with him to impact decisions, adding that's not something O'Rourke would be able to do.

O'Rourke fired back, asking 'If you have this special relationship with President Trump, then what is the result?"

Cruz countered, pointing out the number of bills he's passed while in office and asking what bills has O'Rourke passed.

Texans did see a different side of both candidates in their response to the final question. They were asked to share something they've done in the past year that has nothing to do with politics that would tell voters something about who they are as a person. Both men drew on their roles as fathers.

Senator Cruz, who answered first, paused and seemingly became a little emotional when describing the toll being away from his daughters takes on him.

"I will say the hardest thing about being in this job is being a dad," Cruz said. "Last year I helped coach Caroline's girls basketball team, the fourth grade basketball team. The practices were Sunday afternoon. I could be at the practices as Caroline would point out many times in the course of the one season, I made it to one game. That's not OK with her."

O'Rourke also discussed time he spends with his children.

"Every now and then we get down into the basement where I have a drum kit that was purchased for Henry, but was really for me, a PA and an amplifier. Me and the kids will rock out and Amy will allow us to do that for a while," O'Rourke said.

Click here to see more highlights from the Texas Debate

Early voting in the Midterm Election begins Oct. 22. Election Day is Nov. 6.

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