U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) hosted a campaign rally at the National Border Patrol Council (NBPC) Local 3307 office in Edinburg on Tuesday, where he received their “proud endorsement.”

His visit was part of a three-day campaign tour composed of 12 stops throughout Texas.

The Edinburg stop marks his first in the RGV during this election cycle.

Within the past year, Cruz has prioritized the Rio Grande Valley. In February, Cruz accompanied Vice President Mike Pence on a tour along the border. Last year, he visited the region several times, hosted roundtables with local officials, participated in McAllen’s 4th of July parade, and toured the border with patrol agents on multiple occasions.

On Tuesday, Cruz’s re-election campaign slogan “Tough as Texas” resonated with local residents as he highlighted some of the state’s heroic citizens: Stephen Willeford, who confronted the gunman in Sutherland Springs, the everyday Texans who saved lives in response to Hurricane Harvey, and the law enforcement and border patrol agents that constantly risk their own lives for the public’s safety.

“The character of people really comes out in times of crisis when you’re really being tested,” Cruz stated. “This past year, Texas has had a number of challenges.”

In an interview with Valley Central news, he reaffirmed his strong commitment to border security. “We need to be helping the border patrol agents do their job,” he stated. “Brave agents that risk their lives every day in keeping this country safe, securing our border. They need reinforcement. They need help, in terms of physical infrastructure, in terms of technology… We need boots on the ground. All of those I think we are making positive steps in the right direction but there remains a lot more work to be done.”

Ted Cruz tweeted that morning, “I am deeply humbled to have the support and endorsement of the National Border Patrol Council. You have my word that I will always, always, always have your back!”

NBPC President Brandon Judd released the following statement on their website:

“Senator Cruz has long supported the efforts of the United States Border Patrol and its agents to secure this country’s borders … Ted Cruz has proven to be the same BEFORE, DURING, and AFTER the election. He is a man of principle and conviction. Washington D.C. needs more honest, hardworking men and women like Senator Cruz … He can’t be bought and he will stand firm in supporting border security, which directly impacts both the national and economic security of this great nation. He is a true friend of Border Patrol Agents and our mission. We look forward to a long relationship and with his help, border security will become a reality. We ask all Texans to please stand with those who put their lives on the line to protect our borders and vote for Senator Ted Cruz. A sovereign nation must control its borders.  Please vote for Ted Cruz to help us do our jobs.”

The NBPC is the exclusive representation of approximately 18,000 Border Patrol Agents and support personnel assigned to the U.S. Border Patrol, which is under the Department of Homeland Security.

Miriam Cepeda

Miriam Cepeda is the Rio Grande Valley Bureau Chief for Texas Scorecard. A second-generation Mexican American, she is both fluent in English and Spanish and has been influential in grassroots organizing and conservative engagement within Hispanic communities. If you don’t find her “Trumping”, you can find her saving animals, running her dog, hiking the Andes, or volunteering with the U.S. National Park Service.

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