Latest news with #TexasSenateRace
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Cook Political Report moves Texas Senate race to ‘likely Republican'
The nonpartisan Cook Political Report changed its rating of the 2026 Texas Senate race from 'solid Republican' to 'likely Republican' this week as the contentious GOP primary between incumbent Sen. John Cornyn and state Attorney General Ken Paxton rages on. The ratings change comes as polls consistently show Paxton leading Cornyn in the Republican primary. However, in hypothetical general election polling, Paxton appears more vulnerable against Democrats than Cornyn does. The dynamic has made Democrats more hopeful about their chances in the Lone Star State, which has not seen a Democrat win statewide since 1994. Last month, the Texas Majority PAC and the Texas Democratic Party launched an eight-figure campaign dubbed 'Blue Texas' aimed at electing Democrats up and down the ballot. Former Rep. Colin Allred (D-Texas), who lost his challenge against Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) last year, has jumped into the Democratic primary along with retired NASA astronaut and Air Force pilot Terry Virts. President Trump has held off on endorsing in the intraparty contest; Paxton and Cornyn are both considered allies of the president. Cornyn told NBC News earlier this week that Trump has told him he is not ready to endorse in the race. 'I've talked to him about it a number of times. He is not ready to make that endorsement,' the senator told the network. 'I think as we start advertising and closing the gap in the polls, hopefully he'll see fit to make that endorsement, but we can't wait. 'I pointed out to him, and he knows this, that if he endorsed me, the race would be over.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
CBS News
01-07-2025
- 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.
