DALLAS -- From the first question, Republican Sen. Ted Cruz and Democratic Rep. Beto O’Rourke showed their sharp differences during Friday’s debate in Dallas. It was the first of three hour-long matchups the two will take part in from now until Election Day.

The first question was about whether "Dreamers" — young people who were brought to the country illegally as children — should be given a path to citizenship.

"To ensure that we begin by freeing Dreamers from the fear of deportation by making them U.S. citizens so they can contribute to their full potential,” O’Rourke said.

"My views on immigration are simple and I've summed them up many times in just four words: legal, good; illegal, bad," Cruz said.

O’Rourke also charged Cruz with promising to deport every Dreamer, while Cruz shot back that O’Rourke is focused on fighting for illegal immigrants.

The two also clashed over police shootings and gun rights.

The moderators asked if Texas is ready for a senator who will "roll back" gun rights.

"Texas is ready for a senator who will defend the Second Amendment but will also ensure we can protect the lives in our lives," O’Rourke said.

Cruz said gun control is not the answer and that during meetings with survivors of the Santa Fe school shooting, the thing he heard most often was that they want more armed police officers in schools.

Cruz was also asked whether Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh’s accuser could say anything that might question his support. Cruz said “absolutely,” but didn’t elaborate while calling the allegations serious.

O’Rourke, meanwhile, disputed reports that he tried to flee the scene of a 1998 drunken-driving arrest in El Paso.

National attention in the race has grown as O’Rourke has raised more money than Cruz. And polls have suggested a tighter race than expected in a state where Republicans typically win in landslides. Earlier Friday, the Cook Political Report changed its rating of the race from "lean Republican" to "toss up." Democrats haven’t won a Texas statewide office since 1994.

O’Rourke is giving up his El Paso-based U.S. House seat to challenge Cruz.

An ex-punk rocker, O’Rourke has visited areas that Democrats long ago abandoned. Cruz, a onetime Ivy League debate champion, finished second in the 2016 Republican presidential primary.