Latest news with #ColinAllred
CBS News
a day ago
- Politics
- CBS News
Colin Allred is second Democrat to enter U.S. Senate race in Texas, joining retired astronaut and fighter pilot to win Republican seat
The U.S. Senate race in Texas is getting more crowded. On Tuesday, former Dallas Congressman Colin Allred launched his campaign for the Democratic nomination, aiming to unseat Republican Sen. John Cornyn — or potentially Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, who is considering a primary challenge. Second Senate run for Allred This marks Allred's second consecutive campaign for U.S. Senate. He spent much of last year in campaign mode, ultimately losing to Sen. Ted Cruz by 8.5 percentage points in 2024. Now, he's back on the trail. In his campaign video, Allred said, "You deserve someone who will fight for you. I get it. Real change might feel impossible, but I'm not giving up." He compared his political persistence to his earlier efforts to play in the NFL. Targeting Cornyn and Paxton Allred's message is sharply critical of both Cornyn and Paxton, whom he accuses of corruption and inaction. "Texans are working harder than ever all to be able to afford less," he said. "And the people we elected to help? Politicians like John Cornyn and Ken Paxton are too corrupt to care about us and too weak to fight for us." Democrats believe that if Paxton wins the GOP nomination, they may have their best chance in decades to flip a statewide seat. Virts offers outsider alternative Allred joins retired U.S. Air Force Col. Terry Virts, a former F-16 fighter pilot and NASA astronaut, who launched his campaign last week. In his announcement, Virts said, "It's time for new leadership. I'm Terry Virts, I'm running for U.S. Senate and I'm ready for my next mission." Virts, who moved to Texas 25 years ago, told CBS News Texas that Democrats need a new strategy to win. "What we need to do is not do the same thing over hoping for a different result," he said. "Texas has for the last century — if you lose a Senate race, you don't win again." More candidates may enter Virts also took a veiled swipe at Allred, saying, "If Democrats think that we can run Chuck Schumer's candidate and win in Texas — it's been 30 years. That's not going to happen." Other potential Democratic candidates include former Rep. Beto O'Rourke of El Paso, Rep. Joaquin Castro of San Antonio, and state Rep. James Talarico of Austin. On the Republican side, Rep. Wesley Hunt of the Houston area is also said to be considering a run.
Newsweek
a day ago
- Politics
- Newsweek
Colin Allred's Chances of Winning Texas Senate Election: Polls
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Colin Allred has announced a new Senate run in Texas after losing to Senator Ted Cruz in 2024. The former member of Congress announced his run on July 1, posting a video to X (formerly Twitter) where he said: "Washington is broken and the system is rigged – and Texas families are paying the price. Today I'm announcing I'm running for the U.S. Senate because Texans deserve someone who will fight for them." Washington is broken and the system is rigged – and Texas families are paying the price. Today I'm announcing I'm running for the U.S. Senate because Texans deserve someone who will fight for them. From working to lower costs to taking on corruption, I'm ready to be the fighter… — Colin Allred (@ColinAllredTX) July 1, 2025 Although no polling has been released for his official 2026 run, a poll taken by the Houston Chronicle in April found that Allred beat potential GOP nominee Attorney General Ken Paxton 52 percent to 37 percent, despite Paxton leading the GOP primary among Republican voters. In response to a request for comment on his polling chances, Paxton's team sent Newsweek a link to his X (formerly Twitter) post, which says: "Welcome to the race, Colin! Texans have already rejected your liberal values it's time for Texas voters to say no to your vision and your values one more time." Cornyn campaign senior adviser Matt Mackowiak told Newsweek: "Crooked Ken is a fraud and walking talking ethics disaster." Colin Allred speaks during a watch party on election night, Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024, in Dallas, Texas. Colin Allred speaks during a watch party on election night, Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024, in Dallas, Texas. Tony Gutierrez/AP Photo Why It Matters Allred is the first of likely many Democratic candidates to announce their run for the 2026 primary in the Texas Senate race. Despite losing to Cruz eight months ago, the poll taken by the Houston Chronicle shows he has a higher chance of winning this race if Paxton is able to upset the GOP primary. The 2026 midterm election is expected to be more favorable to the Democratic Party than the 2024 election was, giving Allred a better chance of winning a Texas Senate seat. What To Know Allred is running for Senator John Cornyn's Senate seat. Cornyn's team has said he is committed to running a "vigorous reelection campaign," as he is facing a significant primary challenge from Paxton. A poll taken by a Paxton PAC in June found that the attorney general is leading the Senator by 19 points among Republican primary voters. The Pulse Research poll found the attorney general to have higher name recognition than Cornyn among the 806 voters surveyed, and had a net favorable rating of 70 percent. The 62-year-old Paxton's brand of politics appeals to Trump voters, whereas Cornyn, who is 73, appeals to Reagan-era Republicans. Despite his Trump-affiliated voters, the president has yet to make an endorsement in the race. However, despite Paxton's significant polling lead in the GOP primary, his popularity fades when compared to Allred in the general, per the Houston Chronicle's polling of 1,000 voters. Paxton is running an 'America First' campaign and has been attacking Cornyn's record on the border wall. John Cornyn without a primary: "The border wall is naive." John Cornyn 20 points down in a primary: "build the border wall" — Attorney General Ken Paxton (@KenPaxtonTX) June 30, 2025 Allred's first campaign video focuses on the cost of living, with the former NFL player saying: "You shouldn't have to have a son in the NFL to own a home. Everything's backwards. Folks who play by the rules and keep the faith just can't seem to get ahead. But the folks who cut corners and cut deals? Well, they're doing just fine." He also points to how he never took corporate PAC money while serving for six years in Congress. Beto O'Rourke, who lost his Senate race to Ted Cruz by 3 points, told the Dallas Morning News that Paxton as a candidate would be a "gift" to the Democratic nominee. A Democrat winning Cornyn's seat would be a major upset in a state won by nearly 14 points by President Donald Trump, and won by 8 points in Cruz's race against Allred in 2024. Left: Senator John Cornyn talk with reporters in Dirksen building on Wednesday, June 18, 2025. Right: Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton speaks at a news conference in Dallas on June 22, 2017. Left: Senator John Cornyn talk with reporters in Dirksen building on Wednesday, June 18, 2025. Right: Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton speaks at a news conference in Dallas on June 22, 2017. Left: Tom Williams, Right: Tony Gutierrez, File/Left: CQ Roll Call via AP Images, Right: AP Photo What People Are Saying Colin Allred in his race announcement video: "Texans are working harder than ever, not getting as much time with their kids, missing those special moments, all to be able to afford less. And the people that we elected to help? Politicians like John Cornyn and Ken Paxton are too corrupt to care about us, and too weak to fight for us. I know Washington's broken. The system is rigged. But it doesn't have to be this change might feel impossible, but I'm not giving up." Cornyn campaign senior adviser Matt Mackowiak told Newsweek: "John Cornyn has voted with Trump 99 percent and is the only candidate conservatives can trust to beat progressive Colin Allred." What Happens Next The Texas primary will be held on March 3, 2026. Many more Democrats are expected to join the race before then.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Democrat Colin Allred is running again for US Senate in Texas
DALLAS (AP) — Former Texas congressman Colin Allred launched another run for the U.S. Senate on Tuesday after the Democrat's challenge against Republican Sen. Ted Cruz last year broke records for spending but did not deliver his party the breakthrough it has sought for decades in the state. This time, Allred is seeking the seat of Republican Sen. John Cornyn, who is facing a primary challenge from Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in what is likely to be one of the GOP's most contentious contests in 2026. Allred's announcement comes just seven months after he lost by nearly 9 percentage points to Cruz. That race was one of the most expensive in the country last cycle, with Democrats spending more than $130 million trying to unseat Cruz. A former NFL linebacker and attorney, Allred is the first high-profile Democrat to declare himself a candidate in the race that Democrats see as their best shot next year at ending a 30-year drought in statewide elections in Texas. Another former Democratic congressman, Beto O'Rourke, who came within 3 percentage points of defeating Cruz in 2018, also hasn't ruled out a run. In a video announcing his candidacy, Allred took aim at both Cornyn and Paxton and cast himself as a fighter for those struggling to get ahead. "I get it. Real change might feel impossible," Allred said. 'But I'm not giving up.' 'Texans have already rejected your liberal values once,' Paxton said Tuesday in response to the announcement. 'Now it's time for Texas voters to say no to your vision and values once more.' Allred tried to position himself as a moderate in last year's race and made protecting abortion rights a centerpiece of his campaign. His supporters included Texas women who had serious pregnancy complications after the state's abortion ban took effect. But his campaign drew criticism early on from some Democrats who grew restless with Allred's strategy of not packing his schedule with raucous rallies or investing more in smaller corners of Texas, including cities along the border with Mexico. In the end, Texas Democrats' streak of losses in statewide races continued while Republicans kept making gains along the predominately Hispanic border with Mexico, which had long been a Democratic stronghold. Allred played four seasons in the NFL, all with the Tennessee Titans, after being undrafted out of Baylor University. He entered Congress after flipping a Republican district in Dallas in 2018. Former astronaut Terry Virts also entered the U.S. Senate race as a Democratic candidate. Looming over the GOP primary between Cornyn and Paxton is whether and when President Donald Trump will make an endorsement. In April, Trump praised both candidates and said he would make a decision later.
Bloomberg
a day ago
- Politics
- Bloomberg
Republican Showdown in Texas Spurs New Senate Bid by NFL Veteran
Former US Representative Colin Allred unveiled a new campaign for the Senate less than a year after the Texas Democrat failed to unseat Republican Senator Ted Cruz. Allred raised more than $90 million last year but lost to Cruz by almost 9 percentage points. This time, he's jumping into a race that will be defined initially by a showdown in the GOP primary between Senator John Cornyn and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton. Both Republicans have been touting their ties to President Donald Trump.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Colin Allred announces launch for U.S. Senate seat
DALLAS, Texas (Nexstar) — Former U.S. Congressman Colin Allred officially launched his campaign for the U.S. Senate on Tuesday. The former NFL player said his campaign will focus on 'lowering costs and fighting the corrupt politicians rigging the economy against hardworking Texans,' according to the news release announcing his campaign. 'Everything's backwards. Folks who play by the rules and keep the faith just can't seem to get ahead,' Allred said in his campaign launch video. 'But the folks who cut corners and cut deals – well, they're doing just fine.' Allred said he will roll out of series of plans in the coming months during the campaign. The first plan is what he calls an 'anti-corruption plan.' 'It'll be the first of many steps we're going to take to finally get Texans the leadership that we deserve,' Allred said. This will be Allred's second attempt at the U.S. Senate after a high-profile campaign in 2024 against U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R – Texas. Cruz defeated Allred by almost a million votes in November. Now Allred turns his attention to U.S. Sen. John Cornyn's seat. The incumbent is already facing a difficult challenge in the Republican primary against Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton. A recent Texas Politics Project poll found neither Paxton nor Cornyn were polling favorably among Texas voters. The poll of 1,200 registered voters showed 29% of Texans had a favorable opinion of Paxton while 43% had an unfavorable opinion. Cornyn's numbers were even worse in the same poll, with only 23% saying they had a favorable opinion of the current U.S. Senator while 46% had an unfavorable opinion. A recent report from Punchbowl News said a poll from the Senate Leadership Fund, which supports Cornyn's reelection, found Cornyn was down 10 points to Paxton in May. That same poll also showed Paxton trailing Allred by one point in a general election. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
