Democrats in Texas are closely watching the U.S. Senate race, hoping to find a candidate who can challenge Republican Senator Ted Cruz. After a narrow victory in 2018, Cruz is seen as vulnerable by his opponents. U.S. Rep. Colin Allred and state Sen. Roland Gutierrez are the frontrunners in the Democratic primary, with Allred receiving significant attention due to his high fundraising numbers and previous experience as an NFL player and congressman.
Texas Democrats have been searching for a breakthrough candidate, as no Democrat has won a statewide office in the state for the past 30 years. However, they see Texas, along with Florida, as their best chances for upsets in November. With a slim 51-49 advantage in the Senate, Democrats are hoping to preserve their majority, which includes West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin, who is not seeking reelection and whose seat is likely to flip Republican.
In addition to Allred and Gutierrez, seven other Democrats are running in the Texas Senate primary, including state Rep. Carl Sherman. If no candidate wins a majority of votes, the race will head to a runoff on May 28.
Allred has raised over $21 million since entering the race, significantly more than his primary challengers. He has largely ignored attacks from his opponents during the primary, instead focusing on criticizing Cruz. Allred made headlines in January when he joined 14 House Democrats in backing a Republican resolution that criticized President Joe Biden’s handling of the border. This move was criticized by Gutierrez and Cruz’s spokesperson, who called it a “disingenuous attempt to posture on the border.”
Allred defended his vote, stating that he wanted to send a signal that the current approach to border issues is not working and that more urgency is needed at the federal level. If elected, Allred would become Texas’ first Black senator.
Cruz’s narrow victory over Beto O’Rourke in 2018 was the closest Democrats had come in decades to winning a statewide seat. However, O’Rourke’s double-digit loss to Republican Gov. Greg Abbott in 2022 has dampened Democratic momentum in the state. Despite this setback, Texas Democrats believe that the political landscape is shifting and are hopeful for the future.
As early voting begins for the March 5 primary, Democrats are urging voters to head to the polls and make their voices heard. They recognize that change takes time but are determined to continue their pursuit of a breakthrough candidate.
In conclusion, Democrats in Texas are closely watching the U.S. Senate race as they search for a candidate to challenge Ted Cruz. Despite a 30-year losing streak in statewide offices, Democrats believe that Texas and Florida offer their best chances for upsets in November. Colin Allred, a former NFL player and three-term congressman, has raised significant funds and received attention as a frontrunner in the primary. While Cruz narrowly won reelection in 2018, Democrats are hopeful for a breakthrough and are urging voters to participate in the primary election.
