Cruz Misses Fundraising Gold, Allred Makes Bank in Senate Showdown

Texas Senate Race: Cruz vs. Allred in a Cash-Fueled Showdown

Oh boy, buckle up, Texas! The race for U.S. Senate is tighter than a pair of skinny jeans on a cowboy, and the cash is rolling in like a stampede. Between July 1 and Sept. 30, both candidates raked in millions, because money is the true language of politics, apparently.

Republican incumbent Sen. Ted Cruz, hoping for a third term, pulled in a cool $21 million. Meanwhile, Democratic challenger Colin Allred, a three-term congressman from Dallas, raised a whopping $33 million. Yes, you read that right—Allred outraised Cruz by a Texas-sized margin.

Cruz has been leading in most public polling since the primaries in March, but it’s so close you could slice it with a butter knife. One poll even had Allred ahead by a single percentage point. The Cook Political Report has officially moved Texas from "Likely Republican" to "Leans Republican." 🚀

Both campaigns are patting themselves on the back for the $51 million-plus they’ve scooped up. Allred’s campaign manager, Paige Hutchinson, had some choice words: “From the $5 grassroots donors to the families knocking doors together each weekend, this campaign is about bringing Texans together and holding Ted Cruz accountable for only caring about himself.” Boom, mic drop.

Cruz’s spokesperson, Nick Maddux, tried to sound just as confident: “At the final stretch of the campaign, enthusiasm for Senator Cruz is tangible in every corner of the Lone Star State. Texans know what is at stake. The future of our State and Nation is on the line and supporters are geared up and ready to re-elect Senator Cruz and Keep Texas, Texas.” Uh-huh, sure thing, Nick.

Cruz has $16 million in the bank, while Allred is keeping his cash on hand a secret until the Oct. 15 filing deadline with the Federal Election Commission. The drama continues.

In just one week, Cruz and Allred will face off in what’s set to be their only one-on-one debate, airing live on Oct. 15 in Dallas. Get your popcorn ready, folks.

This high-stakes, high-dollar race is like déjà vu. Remember 2018? Cruz was challenged by another three-term congressman, Beto O'Rourke, who raised a staggering $80 million. Cruz won reelection by a hair’s breadth—a mere 2.6 percentage points—the closest Senate race in Texas in 40 years.

Allred has already outraised Cruz, pulling in nearly $69 million since entering the race. Cruz, with his fancy joint fundraising committees, had taken in about $22 million leading up to the July reporting period.

Early voting starts Oct. 21, and the deadline to register has passed. So, buckle up, Texas—this race is going to be wilder than a rodeo on a Friday night.