Video: The GOP and Democratic U.S. Senate Debates

More than a month before the July 31 runoff, Republican and Democratic candidates for the U.S. Senate made their cases during separate debates at the studios of Dallas public television station KERA,. The Texas Tribune was a media partner in both debates. 

In the GOP debate on Friday, Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst claimed credit for the strong Texas economy and conservative legislation passed by the Legislature since he became lieutenant governor in 2003. Former Solicitor General Ted Cruz discussed politically charged lawsuits that he had worked on as proof that he will fight harder than Dewhurst for conservative principles in the U.S. Senate. Here's the full video of their debate:

Watch The Texas Debates: Race for U.S. Senate - Republicans on PBS. See more from KERA Specials.

In Wednesday's Democratic debate, former state Rep. Paul Sadler of Henderson touted his experience, saying he was the only candidate at the debate qualified to represent Texas in the Senate. Retired educator Grady Yarbrough said that elected officials with government experience are the cause of the country's current problems. Here's the full video of their debate:

Watch The Texas Debates: Race for U.S. Senate, Democrats on PBS. See more from KERA Specials.