Going head-to-head for the first time on Tuesday night, Allred systematically portrayed Cruz as failing to work for the Lone Star State, including torching the Republican for his response to the January 6, 2021, riot in the U.S. Capitol and for fleeing the state during times of hardship.

The exchanges were sometimes personal as the two candidates seeking to represent Texas in the U.S. Senate held their only debate of the campaign.