18 races to follow for the 2018 midterms

1. Texas Senate

Candidates: Republican incumbent Ted Cruz vs. Democratic challenger Beto O’Rourke

Let’s face it: Ted Cruz is pretty divisive. After his 2016 attempt to secure the Republican presidential nomination, Cruz rose to national prominence, and it wasn’t all congenial. Many opponents targeted him for his ultra-conservative values, which include anti-abortion stances, opposition to net neutrality, gun rights support, and support of the death penalty. It’s also true that many went for his looks, his sometimes odd social interactions, and his resemblance to the deep sea blobfish.

Hopefully, though, Cruz’s looks won’t really sway your vote. Besides being plain mean, that sort of sway goes against the whole point of voting and, arguably, the ethos of being a democratic American. Instead, focus on his political stances and decide from there.

Now, a conservative like Cruz has done fairly well in Texas. He’s already served in the Senate since 2012. Before that, he established a comfortable legal and political career in the state, including time as Texas Solicitor General from 2003 to 2008. If nothing else, he is an established legislative and governmental force in his home state.

That may or may not work against him in this upcoming election, however. Cruz is already facing some intense competition from the Democratic challenger, Beto O’Rourke. For Democrats, a win by O’Rourke could be a huge win for the party as a whole.

O’Rourke is a three-term Representative for Texas’ 16th Congressional District, which includes the city of El Paso. He’s been building steam as a progressive candidate with surprisingly fundraising numbers, which could mean serious business at the polls in November. And with less than 10 points generally seen between the two candidates, this election is going to get very heated, indeed.

Campaign website for Ted Cruz: https://www.tedcruz.org/
Campaign website for Beto O’Rourke: https://betofortexas.com/

Remember: Midterms are Tuesday, Nov. 6.