Republican Senator Ted Cruz might be facing a tough challenge in Texas, according to an internal memo from the Senate Leadership Fund (SLF), a GOP super PAC focused on flipping seats. The memo, shared with Politico, indicates that Cruz’s lead over his Democratic opponent, Representative Colin Allred, has shrunk significantly as Election Day approaches.
Recent polling reveals Cruz is only 1 point ahead of Allred—down from a 3-point lead just a month earlier. As Democrats ramp up their investment in Senate races across Texas and Florida, they aim to gain ground in the Senate, especially as they hold onto the fragile seat of Senator Jon Tester in Montana.
SLF president Steven Law highlighted the urgency in the memo: “We have a lot of work ahead to maximize our gains in this crucial Senate election. We need to increase our presence and ensure we’re well-prepared in key states.”
According to the memo, Allred has outspent Cruz on television ads, although GOP groups stepped in late September to help close that gap. Favorability ratings show Cruz at 49% favorable versus 48% unfavorable, while Allred enjoys a 48% positive rating with 36% unfavorable.
Other polls corroborate the close race, with Cruz noting that Democrats are pulling out all the stops against him. In a bid to bolster their chances in Texas and Florida, the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee has rolled out a multimillion-dollar advertising campaign.
Senator Gary Peters, who chairs the DSCC, expressed optimism about their prospects: “We’re witnessing exciting momentum in both states. I’m confident we can not only hold the Senate but achieve significant pickups.”
The contest between Cruz and Allred has sparked enthusiasm among Democrats, signaling a potential shift in a state traditionally dominated by Republicans. While the dream of Texas becoming a ‘purple’ state has, at times, felt distant, the narrowing margins suggest that this Senate race is shaping up to be a real competition.