Colin Allred launching Democratic challenge to Cruz

Rep. Colin Allred (D-Texas) launched a challenge to Texas Sen. Ted Cruz’s (R) reelection bid in 2024 on Wednesday, slamming Cruz as only caring about himself. 

Allred said in a video posted on his Twitter account that he was prepared to “take on anyone who came through” during the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection, while the video points to a comment a rioter made saying he believed Cruz “would want us to do this.” 

The congressman notes then Cruz hid in a supply closet during the attack. 

He also mentioned Cruz’s family trip to Cancun, Mexico, in February 2021 as extreme winter weather conditions knocked out power for millions in the state, leaving them “freezing in the dark.” 

“He’ll do anything to get on Fox News but can’t be bothered to help keep rural Texas hospitals open,” Allred said in the footage, adding that Cruz “spends months trying to whip up phony culture wars but not a minute trying to raise wages or lower drug prices.

“The struggles of regular Texas just don’t interest him,” he continued. “Well, they matter to me because those struggles are the story of my life.”

The video states that Allred was a linebacker in the National Football League before being elected to Congress. He claimed in the video he has worked with Republicans to support veterans, pass a new trade deal with Mexico and bring manufacturing jobs back to the United States. 

“We deserve a senator whose team is Texas, but Ted Cruz only cares about himself,” he said. “You know that.” 

A Democrat has not served as a senator representing Texas in 30 years, but the race likely will be one of the few potential pickup opportunities for Democrats with a 2024 map that does not give many opportunities. 

Cruz defeated former Rep. Beto O’Rourke (D) for reelection to his second term by about 2.5 points in 2018, making it one of the closest races of the year. 

Allred acknowledged that “some people say a Democrat can’t win in Texas,” but he argued “someone like me was never supposed to get this far” and he has “taken down a lot tougher guys than Ted Cruz.” 

Nick Maddux, a Cruz spokesperson, told The Hill that Allred is a “far-left radical” who is “completely out of touch” with Texas. He alleged that Allred is not “serious” about addressing the situation at the country’s southern border and is “soft” on punishing murderers.

“Bottom line, Allred is too extreme for Texas. Thankfully, the Lone Star State has a tireless champion in Sen. Ted Cruz,” Maddux said.

He said Cruz has been “leading the fight for jobs, freedom, and security” in the state for more than a decade and would continue to bring jobs to Texas, battle “out-of-control” government spending, and stand by the oil and gas industry.

Updated at 10:59 a.m.