AUSTIN — As the senate race heats up in Texas, candidate Beto O'Rourke stops in Austin this week.
O'Rourke, a Democrat who hopes to take Sen. Ted Cruz's seat in the Senate, hosted a town hall Monday at Mount Sinai Baptist Church at 2 p.m. Tuesday at 5 p.m., supporters can find O'Rourke at Spider House for a "Back to school with Beto" event.
Hundreds of people piled into Mt. Sinai Baptist church Monday afternoon for the rally. But just before the event, O'Rourke confirmed to reporters that there will not be a debate on Friday between him and Cruz.
A recent Quinnipiac poll shows Cruz leading O'Rourke by six points. O'Rourke believes people are turning out to rallies and going beyond party lines.
“And it's just the most beautiful thing in the world, just so many people coming together. And importantly to your question, they’re not allowing party to be a device and factor, they’re just coming together over doing something great for this country,” said O'Rourke.
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Last week, Sen. Cruz -- who has represented Texas in the Senate since 2013 -- held a meet-and-greet in Georgetown and answered questions during part of his tour across the state.
The latest polls show O'Rourke trailing behind by four points. Cruz comfortably defeated his Democratic opponent in 2012. Texas voters haven't elected a Democratic senator in more than 25 years.
