**Ted Cruz and Colin Allred Make Final Pitches in Heated Texas Senate Race**

In the final weekend of his reelection campaign, U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz toured El Paso and McAllen, two Texan cities with significant Latino populations, to shore up support from this key voting bloc. Immigration was central to Cruz’s message, which he emphasized in a Sunday rally at a jet terminal in east El Paso, labeling the situation as "the worst invasion in our nation's history."

Later that day, in McAllen, Cruz accused his Democratic challenger, U.S. Rep. Colin Allred, of backing the Biden administration's "open borders" policies and opposing the oil and gas industry crucial to Texas. Addressing a crowd at University Draft House, Cruz said, "I have spent 12 years as the leading defender of oil and gas in the United States Senate," presenting himself as the industry's staunchest ally.

Simultaneously, Allred focused on mobilizing support in his hometown of Dallas. Speaking at a rally in the Kessler Theater, he criticized Cruz for prioritizing personal ambitions over legislative duties. "Ted Cruz has spent 12 years not trying to serve us, but 12 years getting attention for himself," Allred remarked.

Both candidates underscore their arguments as the race for the U.S. Senate reaches its climax, with significant implications for Texas politics and control of the Senate. Cruz's stops in El Paso and McAllen, where over 80% of the population is Hispanic, highlight Republicans’ efforts to court Latino voters—a group that has shown more political fluidity in recent elections.

Cruz painted Allred as an extremist, particularly on transgender rights and other social issues, while Allred argued that Cruz's stance threatens energy jobs and misrepresents Democratic policies. Allred's campaign has focused heavily on Texas' abortion ban, attributing restrictive laws to Cruz’s influence on the judicial system.

On the other hand, Cruz has sought to deflect discussions on state abortion bans, placing responsibility on state legislatures. Meanwhile, he casts himself as a defender of economic stability and immigration control, stressing his alignment with South Texas's conservative values.

Polls indicate Allred's lead among Latino voters, though by narrower margins compared to Beto O'Rourke’s 2018 campaign. The race remains fiercely competitive as both candidates attempt to rally their base and sway undecided voters in the critical final days before Election Day.