Republicans once dominated statewide races in Texas with comfortable double-digit victories, but recent years have seen a significant shift. In 2018, Senator Ted Cruz narrowly defeated Democratic challenger Beto O’Rourke by just 2%, and now, as the 2024 election approaches, Cruz is warning Republicans not to underestimate his Democratic opponent, Rep. Colin Allred.
On Sunday, Allred gained a notable endorsement from The Dallas Morning News, Texas’ largest daily newspaper, marking a significant moment in the race. In their front-page editorial, the newspaper sharply criticized Cruz for fostering “the politics of division” and for his role in the events surrounding the 2020 presidential election.
The editorial highlighted Cruz’s decision to object to certifying the electoral vote after the 2020 election, writing, “He instead was the first senator to rise in objection to certifying the electoral vote and one of just six to do so. His actions were a catalyst for what became one of the worst days in our nation’s history.”
The reference, of course, is to January 6, 2021, when a violent mob of Donald Trump supporters attacked the U.S. Capitol in an attempt to overturn the election results. In contrast, The Dallas Morning News praised Allred for his commitment to bipartisanship, describing him as someone who “has demonstrated over time that both the words and actions of bipartisanship matter to him.”
The Texas Senate race, long seen as a safe Republican seat, has now come under national scrutiny. Political science professor Costas Panagopoulos of Northeastern University noted that the race is competitive, with some recent polls suggesting it could be tied or even show Allred in the lead. Panagopoulos told Newsweek, “Texas voters have had reservations about Ted Cruz for years. He only squeaked by narrowly to win re-election in 2018.”
Cruz’s re-election in 2024 is far from guaranteed, and with growing dissatisfaction among Texas voters, Allred’s campaign is gaining momentum. For Cruz, this race may prove to be another narrow contest in a state that has become increasingly politically diverse.