Even GOP super PAC poll shows how close Democrat Colin Allred is to beating long-time Texas Senator Ted Cruz
Texas – Republican Senator Ted Cruz is reportedly clinging to a small advantage in his re-election campaign while internal polling from a GOP super PAC points to a difficult road ahead for him and many other Republicans in pivotal Senate races this November. In a contest proving to be surprisingly tight, Cruz is just one point ahead of his Democratic competitor, Colin Allred, according to a Senate Leadership Fund memo obtained by Politico.
The internal document exposes serious issues among the Republican camp on keeping this vital Texas Senate seat. Former professional football player turned politician Allred has taken a much different approach than past Democratic contenders. Allred has instead concentrated on a modest, centrist approach that seems to be appealing to Texas voters, eschewing the conventional campaign trail methods of surrogates and big events.
Financially, Allred has exceeded Cruz with a significant fundraising lead highlighting the momentum of his campaign. Allred’s campaign brought $30 million over three separate accounts in the third quarter alone, compared to Cruz’s $21 million, therefore indicating tremendous financial support for the Democrat. Allred’s dominance in television advertising thanks to his skill in fundraising has significantly increases his profile and message to the voters.
The realistic assessment in the Senate Leadership Fund’s email is that the only tactic remaining to keep Cruz’s slim lead is expanding Republican outside spending. It underscores a sense of urgency, reflecting the broader national context where Republicans are facing tough battles in other states as well, including Michigan, Ohio, and even Maryland, where they trail by significant margins.
The document also draws attention to another significant “trouble-spot” in Nebraska, where former union president Dan Osborn, an independent candidate, challenges current Republican Senator Deb Fischer in a very close race. The situation there is still undetermined thus the super PAC feels it could have to step in to guarantee the seat.
Despite these pessimistic predictions, the super PAC tries to spin things enthusiastically, implying that the “environment is ready for a GOP win.” This hope, meanwhile, seems incompatible with the facts that show a party fighting to hang onto its seats in a changing political terrain.
All eyes are on Texas as the November elections get close as Cruz’s re-election campaign has come to symbolize the larger difficulties confronting the Republican Party. His many requests for cash during media interviews highlight the urgency of a campaign obviously under fire.
For Cruz, the next weeks will be critical as he tries to organize his base and offset the great challenge presented by Allred. Texas is a vital battlefield that might very well control the Senate’s balance of power amid changing political terrain. The stakes could not be higher, not only for the candidates but also for the future political direction of Texas and the country as both campaigns intensify their activities.
