A new assessment by Cook Political Report shows the race for Texas Senate between Ted Cruz and Colin Allred is heating up. Eye on Politics reporter Jack Fink speaks with candidates running in Collin County State House District 70, one of Texas’ few purple districts. Additionally, the race for speaker of the Texas House of Representatives is heating up. A conservative Republican who changed his mind explains why he no longer supports Speaker Dade Phelan. All this and more in the latest episode of Eye On Politics. (Original air date: October 6, 2024)
Competition in Texas Senate race intensifies
Early voting begins two weeks from tomorrow in Texas, and a reputable national election forecasting company is predicting the Texas Senate race between Republican incumbent Ted Cruz and Democratic Congressman Colin Allred. He says competition is intensifying.
The Cook Political Report downgraded the race from “likely R” to “lean R.”
On its website, the group defines “likely” as “not currently considered competitive, but may participate.” The Cook Political Report describes “lean” as “these races are considered competitive races, but one party has an advantage.”
Mr. Cruz leads Mr. Allred by 4.75 points, according to Real Clear Politics’ four latest Texas Senate race polls. Cook Political Report’s rating changes come about a week after the Democratic Senate Campaign Committee announced it would spend millions of dollars on Allred’s television advertising campaign.
We spoke to Michael Williams, a Republican and former Texas Railroad Commissioner, and Pro Tem Junior Ezeonu, a Democratic political consultant and vice mayor of Grand Prairie, about the current state of the race.
Williams tells Jack that Texas is still a red state. “We’re far from being a battleground state or a battleground state. We’re red, solidly red, and that won’t change this election cycle.”
Ezeonu agreed that Texas is not yet a true swing state and said turnout will always be key. “Can we turn voters away? Can we energize our base and win over moderates to support voters who don’t like Trump or Cruz and want to look elsewhere?”
Support in Senate election
Joey Reid says it was an easy decision to support Colin Allred over Ted Cruz for Senate. Mr. Reed said that when his family needed help getting their son Trevor released from Russia in 2019, the first person he called was Senator Cruz, but he offered no help. .
“It’s because of our direct interaction with Ted Cruz and the fact that he hasn’t helped us in any way, even though everyone else in Congress has helped us, especially all the Texas senators from both parties. Reed recorded a television ad for Allred and said the North Texas lawmaker was supportive as a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee.
“So we need more people like Colin Allred to work with the other side to find a compromise that is acceptable to both sides.”
In a statement Friday, the Cruz campaign told CBS News Texas: “It was an incredible relief for Trevor and his family when Sen. Cruz was released from wrongful detention in Russia and safely returned home.” .
The campaign also said that Cruz was “committed to bringing home American hostages from Lebanon and Venezuela, and is fighting every day to secure Mark Swidan’s release from China.”
Watch the story:
Father of Marine veteran captured in Russia speaks about Allred’s support for Cruz 03:25
Check out our interview with Jack and Joey Reed.
Father of Marine veteran captured in Russia supports Allred 10:37
Rep. Allred has also received support from former members of Congress, including Republicans Liz Cheney and Adam Kinzinger. Sen. Cruz is backed by Democratic Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg, the Texas Chamber of Commerce, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
Neil Bradley, the chamber’s vice president and chief policy officer, said at a press conference in Carrollton last month: “Senator Cruz, what he has accomplished for the state of Texas and the nation.” If you respect his commitment to future policy and believe in jobs, economic growth, and American prosperity, then you are definitely the candidate.”
Purple District, Texas: Battle for Collin County House District 70
One of the few purple districts in Texas is in the spotlight on Election Day. State House District 70 is an oddly shaped district that is mostly Plano, but also includes parts of Allen, Richardson and Far North Dallas, all in Collin County.
The purple color is due to how the districts were drawn during 2021 redistricting and how the districts voted two years ago. In 2022, former Democratic Congressman Beto O’Rourke defeated Gov. Greg Abbott 53% to 46%. Democrats also won for lieutenant governor and attorney general, but Republican Comptroller Glenn Hegar narrowly defeated his Democratic challenger.
In July, Gov. Greg Abbott told CBS News Texas that House District 70 was one of three House seats he thought Republicans would flip.
Jack recently met with Democratic state Rep. Michaela Presa and Republican challenger Steve Kinard to discuss the district and key issues.
Watch Jack’s full interview with Congresswoman Mihaela Presa here.
Texas Rep. Miheala Presa of House District 70 shares why she should keep her seat. 19:16
Read the full interview with Jack and Steve Kinard here:
Steve Kinard talks about campaigning in Texas House District 70 32:59
Texas House Speaker race intensifies
The battle for House Speaker is heating up at the Texas State Capitol.
Current House Speaker Dade Phelan faces a challenge from Republican Rep. David Cook of Mansfield.
Cook recently published a list of 48 House Republicans who support his candidacy after being selected to run against Phelan over four other Republicans who had also announced their candidacy. Announced. Democratic Rep. Ana Maria Ramos of Dallas has also announced her candidacy, but Republicans hold an 86-63 edge over Democrats in the House, making her unlikely to win.
There is one vacant seat.
Conservative Rep. Matt Shaheen of Plano recently switched his choice for Speaker of the House from Phelan to Cook. He said he based his decision in part on what he called the “unfair influence” the pro-gambling lobby has in the House of Commons.
Watch Jack’s interview with Congressman Matt Shaheen.
Texas House Speaker race intensifies 13:03
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