Beto-Ted Cruz Race: Both Brag On Polar Opposite NRA Ratings

HOUSTON, TX — The U.S. Senate race in Texas between Republican incumbent Ted Cruz and Democrat challenger Beto O'Rourke went gnarly just hours after both won their primary elections earlier this month. So far it's mainly been a war of words and an arms race to see who can pile up the biggest monetary war chest. And one of the main differentiating issues is, well, arms. Guns.

The National Rifle Association doled out ratings to every lawmaker in the Unites States Congress representing Texas, including all representatives and both senators. The NRA gave these ratings to the duo who'll be on the ballot this November:

• Ted Cruz — A+ (NRA has made $77,450 in contributions to Cruz)
• Beto O'Rourke — F ($0 in contributions to Cruz)

O'Rourke isn't alone as eight other Democrat Representatives accepted no donations from the NRA and received either an F, D or no rating.

Twenty-eight Republicans and two Democrats received contributions from the NRA, and all have either an A or A+ rating. The two Democrats are Gene Green ($46,814 - Houston) and Henry Cuellar ($26,719 - Laredo). Only Cuellar is running for reelection.

O'Rourke posted this message on social media when the ratings were released:

O'Rourke said the following on an CNN interview earlier this month:

"I think a lot of Texans are wondering who it is that Ted Cruz represents in the Senate. He's taken hundreds of thousands of dollars from the (National Rifle Association)," O'Rourke said of Cruz in an interview with CNN's Alisyn Camerota on "New Day."

"We have a great tradition and culture of gun ownership and gun safety for hunting, for sport, for self-defense," O'Rourke said. "I think that can allow Texas to take the lead on a really tough issue, which the country is waiting for leadership and action on."

Cruz sent an email letter to supporters Thursday afternoon regarding the race, and how he still needs to raise money. He also said this about the NRA ratings and how proud of where he stands versus Beto on the gun control issue:

"This election has a stark choice between Texas conservative values and east and west coast liberal priorities. I’ve been proud to be a champion for liberty, but my opponent seemingly wants to take away your freedoms.

The Second Amendment give us the right to bear arms to defend ourselves, however, my opponent recently said that no citizen should be allowed to buy an AR-15. There are already a lot of AR-15s in circulation. Will they be confiscated?

My opponent brags about his F rating from the NRA as if it's something to be proud of. I am very proud of my A+ rating from the NRA. I represent all Texans, and fight for the entirety of our Bill of Rights."

The General Election for mid-terms will be Tuesday, Nov. 6.

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Image: National Rifle Association members attend the 146th NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits on April 29, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. With more than 800 exhibitors, the convention is the largest annual gathering for the NRA's more than 5 million members. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)