In a significant financial uppercut, Dallas Congressman Colin Allred has outraised incumbent U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, hauling in a hefty $9.5 million in this year’s first quarter for the Texas Senate race, according to KXAN. In comparison, Cruz has gathered $6.9 million, reflecting an intense competition that has donors opening their wallets wider for the Democrat challenger.
Allred’s early fundraising prowess not only eclipses Cruz’s first-quarter earnings but also surpasses the $6.7 million raised by Beto O’Rourke when he challenged Cruz in 2018, as reported by KVUE. Still, Cruz is not lagging far behind in his overall financial machinery bringing in a total of over $9.7 million across his various funding streams, including money raised for other candidates. Allred, making his mark, has collected $27.9 million since kicking off his campaign last May, with donations from 285,000 contributors and an average donation of $34.75.
Brian Smith, a politics professor at St. Edward’s University, underlined the importance of such fundraising feats in Texas, “You have to spend a ton of money simply because of the great size of the state, traveling around the state is not free,” and acknowledged the tough task of motivating a large number of non-voters reported by KXAN.
Cruz, undeterred by Allred's early showing, remains buoyant about his campaign, with spokesperson Nick Maddux stating, "His quarter-one fundraising numbers reflect Texans’ urgency for victory as Democrats threaten to strip away our common-sense way of life,” this comment captured by KXAN. Despite this financial tug-of-war, Republicans are not resting on their laurels as the Club for Growth, a powerful right-wing group, has pledged at least $10 million to ensure Cruz's reelection, further intensifying the fundraising arms race in the Lone Star State.
As Democrats hunt for victories in the broader political arena, Texas remains a critical target with national groups launching negative ads and ground operations to try and upend Cruz’s hold. Allred’s campaign manager, Paige Hutchinson, channeled an optimistic spirit, saying, “This campaign is about rejecting the divisiveness of Ted Cruz and fighting for Texans’ freedoms,” as told to KVUE. With over $15.1 million cash on hand, Cruz’s network has extended throughout Texas and across every state, evidence of a well-oiled campaign ready to take on the challenge posed by Allred's impressive early numbers.
