Cook Political Report shifts Texas Senate race in favor of Democrats
The Cook Political Report announced on Tuesday that it has shifted Texas’s Senate race from “likely Republican” to “lean Republican,” indicating a surge of support for Rep. Colin Allred’s challenge against incumbent Sen. Ted Cruz. According to Jessica Taylor, the report’s Senate and gubernatorial editor, Allred’s strong fundraising efforts and advertising strategies, combined with Cruz facing criticism over issues like abortion and his controversial trip to Cancun during a 2021 winter storm, have bolstered the Democrats’ position in the traditionally red state. However, Taylor cautioned that flipping the Senate seat in November will still be a significant challenge for the Democratic Party.
Democrats have increasingly focused their attention on Texas, as well as Florida, during this election cycle. Recently, the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC) revealed a multimillion-dollar investment in television advertising targeting both states. DSCC Chair Gary Peters emphasized that the party is actively working to capitalize on the vulnerable standings of Senators Cruz and Scott. Despite the positive shift in ratings for Allred, the overall Senate landscape remains favorable to Republicans, with forecasts suggesting they only need to defeat one incumbent Democratic senator, Jon Tester in Montana, to regain control of the chamber. Currently, Cruz leads Allred by nearly 3 points, following a narrow victory over former Rep. Beto O’Rourke in his last reelection campaign.
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