Texas Tech University

What Do Ted Cruz And Beto O'Rourke Say About Climate Change On The Campaign Trail?

High Plains Public Radio

October 24, 2018

Senate candidates from Texas, Ted Cruz and Beto O'Rourke, have spent a lot of time discussing their stances on immigration, health care and the economy while on the campaign trail. But the environment is a topic that is seldom discussed.

That's why Jon Gergen, a retired listener from Plano, asked Texas Decides: "Specifically what policies Mr. Cruz and Mr. O'Rourke are for, or against, to deal with what I perceive most of the scientific community believes is a severe climate problem."

To answer Jon's question, we spoke to professor Robert Forbis who studies environmental policy at Texas Tech University. When looking at the two candidates' voting records, Forbis says the differences are sharp.

Robert Forbis says there's evidence people on the left and right are beginning to agree about transitioning into a less fossil-fuel-dependent economy. Two of his students at Texas Tech took a survey of voters in Lubbock, asking whether or not they favored moving towards renewables.

Read the whole story here.