The Houston Chronicle on Friday endorsed Democratic Senate candidate Beto O'Rourke Beto O'RourkeJimmy Carter says his son smoked pot with Willie Nelson on White House roof O'Rourke endorses Kennedy for Senate: 'A champion for the values we're most proud of' 2020 Democrats do convention Zoom call MORE in his bid to unseat incumbent Sen. Ted Cruz Rafael (Ted) Edward CruzThe Hill's Morning Report - Sponsored by Facebook - Trump previews SCOTUS nominee as 'totally brilliant' Cruz blocks amended resolution honoring Ginsburg over language about her dying wish Trump argues full Supreme Court needed to settle potential election disputes MORE (R-Texas) in the closely watched Texas Senate race.

"With eyes clear but certainly not starry, we enthusiastically endorse Beto O'Rourke for U.S. Senate," the Chronicle's editorial board wrote in its endorsement. "The West Texas congressman's command of issues that matter to this state, his unaffected eloquence and his eagerness to reach out to all Texans make him one of the most impressive candidates this editorial board has encountered in many years."

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The board notes that O'Rourke, a congressman in an El Paso-based district, faces "long odds" to become the first Democrat Texas could vote into the Senate in three decades. The board writes that a victory for O'Rourke would be beneficial for the state "not only because of his skills, both personal and political, but also because of the manifest inadequacies of the man he would replace."

The board, which notes that it endorsed Cruz's candidacy in the 2012 Senate race, criticized Cruz in its endorsement of O'Rourke, saying the incumbent has exhibited "little interest in addressing the needs of his fellow Texans during his six years in office."

"For Cruz, public office is a private quest; the needs of his constituents are secondary," the board wrote, also citing his pivotal role in a federal government shutdown in 2013, as well as his "nay" vote for the Disaster Relief Appropriations Act — a law that authorized $60 billion for relief agencies that were aiding Hurricane Sandy victims.

The board also pointed to the negative public comments Cruz has received from his Republican colleagues.

Former House Speaker John Boehner John Andrew BoehnerLongtime House parliamentarian to step down Five things we learned from this year's primaries Bad blood between Pelosi, Meadows complicates coronavirus talks MORE (R-Ohio) once said, "I have never worked with a more miserable son of a bitch in my life." Sen. Lindsey Graham Lindsey Olin GrahamSteele Dossier sub-source was subject of FBI counterintelligence probe Hillicon Valley: Subpoenas for Facebook, Google and Twitter on the cards | Wray rebuffs mail-in voting conspiracies | Reps. raise mass surveillance concerns Key Democrat opposes GOP Section 230 subpoena for Facebook, Twitter, Google MORE (R-S.C.), the board notes, once said: "If you killed Ted Cruz on the floor of the Senate, and the trial was in the Senate, nobody would convict you."

"What sets O'Rourke apart, aside from the remarkable campaign he's running, are policy positions in keeping with a candidate duly aware of the traditionally conservative Texas voter he would be representing in the U.S. Senate," the board continues.

The board then goes on to conclude that O'Rourke would serve as a check to President Trump Donald John TrumpSteele Dossier sub-source was subject of FBI counterintelligence probe Pelosi slams Trump executive order on pre-existing conditions: It 'isn't worth the paper it's signed on' Trump 'no longer angry' at Romney because of Supreme Court stance MORE, whom it describes as a "danger to the republic."

"Cruz is unwilling to take on that responsibility."

O'Rourke has gained a national following in his quest to unseat Cruz for his Senate seat. Still, polls have shown Cruz maintaining a solid lead. A poll released by CNN this week showed Cruz with a 7-point advantage. The nonpartisan Cook Political report has rated the race a "toss-up."