Texas Democrats Aim to Challenge Senator Ted Cruz in Upcoming Senate Election – Sky Bulletin
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As Democrats set their sights on flipping a crucial seat in the U.S. Senate, they are closely monitoring the Texas primaries on Super Tuesday, anticipating the selection of a nominee to face off against Republican incumbent Sen. Ted Cruz. Cruz’s opponents have portrayed him as beatable, highlighting his relatively slim win in 2018.
Dallas Congressman and former NFL athlete U.S. Rep. Colin Allred, along with state Sen. Roland Gutierrez, are at the forefront of the Democratic primary race. The party continues its search for a viable contender in a state that hasn’t seen a Democratic statewide officeholder in three decades—which is the longest such drought in America.
Despite historical trends, Democrats perceive both Texas and Florida as opportunities for upsets, hoping to maintain their narrow 51-49 Senate majority. This count includes West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin, who is not running for re-election and whose seat is anticipated to swing Republican.
Among the trail of Democrats in the Senate primary is state Rep. Carl Sherman, bringing the total number to seven hopefuls. Absent a clear majority in the primary, the contest will proceed to a runoff on May 28.
Allred, aiming to become the first Black senator from Texas, has garnered more than $21 million for his campaign. This dwarfs the fundraising of his competitors, and Allred has been focusing on campaigning against Cruz more so than addressing his direct Democratic rivals.
Earlier this year, Allred received attention for supporting a Republican-led resolution critiquing President Joe Biden’s management of the border, a move criticized by Gutierrez and dismissed by Cruz’s spokesperson as pretense. Nonetheless, Allred has defended his position as a call for greater urgency in border matters.
Cruz’s previous race against Beto O’Rourke, which he narrowly won by less than 3 percentage points, serves as a beacon of hope for Democrats on the cusp of making headway in Texas. Post-2018, however, Democrats have yet to regain similar momentum, with O’Rourke notably losing to Gov. Greg Abbott in 2022.
Despite these setbacks, local Democratic leaders like Jared Hockeman believe that political shift is in progress in Texas, acknowledging it as a gradual process.
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Murphy reported from Oklahoma City.
FAQ Section
- Who are the main Democratic challengers in the Texas Senate race?
- U.S. Rep. Colin Allred and state Sen. Roland Gutierrez have emerged as the most prominent Democratic candidates in the primary.
- When will the Texas Senate primary runoff take place?
- If no candidate acquires a majority vote in the primary, the runoff is scheduled for May 28.
- How significant are the fundraising efforts of the Democratic candidates?
- Colin Allred, in particular, has raised over $21 million, a notable figure compared to his Democratic challengers.
- What were the results of Ted Cruz’s last election race?
- Ted Cruz won his last election in 2018 against Beto O’Rourke, but only by a margin of less than 3 percentage points.
- Has a Democrat won a statewide office in Texas recently?
- No, a Democrat has not won a statewide office in Texas in the last 30 years.
Conclusion
The upcoming U.S. Senate race in Texas is shaping up to be a significant electoral event with Democrats rallying to present a strong challenge to Republican incumbent Ted Cruz. With key figures such as Colin Allred leading the Democratic primary with substantial fundraising success and an eye on issues like border security, the party aims to capitalize on the close races of recent years and potentially turn Texas blue, a breakthrough they have been diligently working towards. The results of the primary and the potential May runoff will determine the vigor of their challenge in the November elections.
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