Texas Senate Race Breaks Fundraising Records

The Texas Senate race between incumbent Sen. Ted Cruz and challenger Rep. Colin Allred is highly competitive and the most expensive of the 2024 cycle, with both candidates raising and spending tens of millions of dollars. Cruz currently leads by a narrow margin in several polls, including a 2-point lead in a University of Texas at Tyler survey, though other polls show the race as a dead heat. The outcome is critical as it could influence which party controls the Senate. Allred is focusing on suburban voters to potentially secure an upset, while both campaigns are aggressively spending on advertisements, with Cruz emphasizing issues like transgender rights and Allred on abortion. Democrats view this race as a vital opportunity to gain a seat and bolster their Senate majority. Historical context from the 2018 Senate race, where Cruz narrowly defeated Beto O'Rourke, adds to the stakes and intensity of the current contest.