Pete Sessions says what hurt the most about Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings' endorsement of his opponent, Colin Allred, was the end of their relationship.

Rawlings didn't realize they had one.

Like sands through the hourglass of time, these are the days of our midterm elections.

"It's mostly the loss of the friendship, not what he did. Evidently he feels that he won't be calling anymore," Sessions said.

When contacted by phone, Rawlings was perplexed by Sessions' reaction to his decision.

"I didn't know we were that close," he said. "I really didn't call him that much. The last time I called was when there were rumors that I was going to run against him. I told him I wasn't running for anything, he said 'I know.' That was the last time I called him."

In relationships, though, you can bruise someone without knowing. That's what apparently happened to Sessions.

"To assume that Mike and I are not important to each other is a misnomer," Sessions said. "I have helped him with things that he knew he could count on my support. I would simply say that maybe he feels that he doesn't need me anymore."

Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings (left) and U.S. Sen. John Cornyn joined U.S. Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao to talk about the airport improvement grants as she presented a letter of intent for DFW International Airport infrastructure improvements, including end-around taxiways, in July. (Louis DeLuca / Staff Photographer)

Sessions said partisan politics was to blame.

"Mike is a Democrat. I get that," he said.

Sessions is trying to fend off Allred in a close contest for the 32nd Congressional District. The candidates have been tussling for every endorsement, and the backing of a mayor could be critical. Sessions had hoped Rawlings would stay neutral, and there's good reason for that expectation.

In the past Rawlings has praised Sessions, most notably for securing $368 million in federal funding to protect the city against flooding.

The mayor even sent a thank you note on July 18.

"Thanks Pete. I know this wouldn't have happened without you," Rawlings scribbled after the letter's closing.

But in September, Rawlings backed Allred.

"Colin represents what we need in the city," Rawlings said recently. "He can give us more and do it better than what Pete has done."

Sessions does have support on the Dallas City Council.

Council member Lee Kleinman is backing Sessions, saying he's help Dallas secure funding for many projects. He also praised Sessions for getting critical money for the Lewisville Lake Dam, which protects 400,000 people from a potential flooding.

"He has delivered for Dallas," Kleinman said. "He's our go-to guy in Congress. ... Colin seems qualified and could be a good congressman, but when you have a guy that's chairman of the Rules Committee, you know that when you need something he'll be able to get it."

Rawlings said he hoped the winner of the 32nd District race would deliver for Dallas, no matter who won.

"Obviously we need our congressman in Washington," Rawlings said. "I hope him, or whoever our congressman is would want to do right for the city of Dallas."

In response of Sessions' contention that Rawlings doesn't need him anymore, there was some agreement. Rawlings' second and final term as mayor will end in June.

"Doesn't he know I'm leaving?" Rawlings said.