Democrat Colin Allred is running again for US Senate in Texas

DALLAS – Former Texas congressman Colin Allred launched different tally for the U.S. Senate connected Tuesday aft the Democrat's situation against Republican Sen. Ted Cruz past twelvemonth broke records for spending but did not present his enactment the breakthrough it has sought for decades successful the state.

This time, Allred is seeking the spot of Republican Sen. John Cornyn, who is facing a superior situation from Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton successful what is apt to beryllium one of the GOP's astir contentious contests successful 2026.

Allred's announcement comes conscionable 7 months aft helium mislaid by astir 9 percent points to Cruz. That contention was 1 of the astir costly successful the state past cycle, with Democrats spending much than $130 cardinal trying to unseat Cruz.

A erstwhile NFL linebacker and attorney, Allred is the archetypal high-profile Democrat to state himself a campaigner successful the contention that Democrats spot arsenic their champion changeable adjacent twelvemonth astatine ending a 30-year drought successful statewide elections successful Texas. Another erstwhile Democratic congressman, Beto O'Rourke, who came wrong 3 percent points of defeating Cruz successful 2018, besides hasn't ruled retired a run.

In a video announcing his candidacy, Allred took purpose astatine some Cornyn and Paxton and formed himself arsenic a combatant for those struggling to get ahead.

"I get it. Real alteration mightiness consciousness impossible," Allred said. “But I’m not giving up.”

Allred tried to presumption himself arsenic a mean successful past year’s contention and made protecting termination rights a centerpiece of his campaign. His supporters included Texas women who had superior gestation complications aft the state's termination ban took effect.

But his run drew disapproval aboriginal connected from immoderate Democrats who grew restless with Allred’s strategy of not packing his docket with raucous rallies oregon investing much successful smaller corners of Texas, including cities on the borderline with Mexico.

In the end, Texas Democrats' streak of losses successful statewide races continued portion Republicans kept making gains on the predominately Hispanic borderline with Mexico, which had agelong been a Democratic stronghold.

Allred played 4 seasons successful the NFL, each with the Tennessee Titans, aft being undrafted retired of Baylor University. He entered Congress aft flipping a Republican territory successful Dallas successful 2018.

Former astronaut Terry Virts besides entered the U.S. Senate contention arsenic a Democratic candidate.

Looming implicit the GOP superior betwixt Cornyn and Paxton is whether and erstwhile President Donald Trump volition marque an endorsement. In April, Trump praised some candidates and said helium would marque a determination later.

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