FORT WORTH, Texas _ CNN is shining a light on three of the "most consequential races" in 2018 _ including the Texas bid for U.S. Senate _ through debates or town halls in the coming weeks.
But Texans won't get to see incumbent Republican U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz and Democratic challenger U.S. Rep. Beto O'Rourke of El Paso face off in this series.
"Sen. Ted Cruz (R) declined CNN's invitation to participate in the town hall," a CNN statement noted.
So O'Rourke will be featured in a live, one-hour town hall with CNN chief political correspondent Dana Bash in South Texas on Oct. 18.
The Cruz campaign did not immediately respond Tuesday afternoon to a request on why the senator will not participate.
The solo town hall will be televised from the McAllen Performing Arts Center.
The other two races that will be featured in CNN debates: Democrat Sen. Bill Nelson and Gov. Rick Scott in a U.S. Senate debate. That debate will air Oct. 16. And Republican Rep. Ron DeSantis and Democrat Mayor Andrew Gillum in an Oct. 21 Florida gubernatorial debate.
Cruz and O'Rourke, who did participate in a Sept. 21 debate at Southern Methodist University, are expected to square off at least one more time in an Oct. 16 debate in San Antonio.
The fight for this Senate seat, represented by Republicans since 1993, has become more competitive than expected.
It has become one of the costliest and most watched races across the country, as many wonder if O'Rourke can do what no other Democrat has done for more than two decades in Texas: win a statewide office.
O'Rourke, who has traveled around the state since last year to meet voters, caught up with Cruz in fundraising, as both hover around $23 million, according to OpenSecrets.org, which reviewed campaign finance reports filed with the Federal Election Commission between Jan. 1, 2017, and July 31, 2018.
Republicans have said they believe O'Rourke's election bid "is a serious threat" to Cruz's re-election.
Polls have fluctuated back and forth, giving each candidate the edge at different times, indicating what a tight race this could be.
Early voting for the Nov. 6 mid-term election runs from Oct. 22-Nov. 2.
