The battlefield for the U.S. Senate in Texas is heating up as a band of Democrats set their sights on Republican incumbent Ted Cruz. Voters navigated through a list of nine Democratic hopefuls and three Republicans during the Super Tuesday showdown, with Cruz, vying for a third term, sitting comfortably ahead in his primary according to Nexstar.
Raising over $21 million, U.S. Rep. Colin Allred and state Sen. Roland Gutierrez stole the spotlight in the Democratic primary, both gunning to challenge Cruz in an attempt to turn Texas blue for the first time in 30 years. Democrats consider Texas, along with Florida, as their best shot at an upset to preserve their slim Senate majority. However, if no candidate wins a vote majority, Texans are gearing up for a May 28 runoff, reported Newsday.
Cruz, touting his fight for jobs, wages, and constitutional rights, recently criticized President Joe Biden for what he termed a lack of control over the southern border. On the Democratic flank, Allred, who represents the possibility of becoming Texas' first Black senator, claims a bipartisan approach. "I'm proud that I've been the most bipartisan member of the Texas delegation, and I want to be a senator now for this state that's given me so much," Allred told Nexstar.
During recent debates, Gutierrez has taken a swing at Allred's bipartisan efforts, arguing for a stronger alignment with Democratic values. "We don't need to have Democrats throwing our president under the bus," Gutierrez said in a statement obtained by Nexstar. He advocates for comprehensive immigration reform, an assault weapons ban, and a push toward expanding Medicare for all. Despite facing criticism for backing a GOP resolution about border issues, Allred explained, "For me, it was about sending a signal that, you know, what we have been doing is not working," in an interview last week with Newsday.
Other Democratic candidates, like state Rep. Carl Sherman, aim to offer a blend of policy ideals centered around abortion rights, gun violence reduction, and educational funding. "I don't like politics, but I love people. I love the Lord, and I love policy," Sherman affirmed during the Texas AFL-CIO Democratic debate as per Nexstar. Meanwhile, Cruz continues his primary crusade undeterred, bolstered by the memory of his narrow victory over Beto O'Rourke in 2018 and the hopes for a solidified Republican front come the general election on November 5.
