Former Rep. Colin Allred has announced his return to the Texas Senate race, vowing to challenge incumbent politicians like Texas Sen. John Cornyn and Attorney General Ken Paxton, whom he criticized as corrupt and weak. Allred, who previously flipped a red-leaning district in 2018, emphasized his anti-corruption platform in a video released on Tuesday.
The Democratic Party sees a potential opportunity in the upcoming Republican primary, which could pit Cornyn against Paxton, who has faced multiple scandals during his time in office. Despite Paxton leading in current polling, Democrats are optimistic about their chances of flipping the reliably red state. However, the primary field for Democrats is expected to be more competitive this time around, with candidates like former astronaut Terry Virts, Rep. Joaquin Castro, former Rep. Beto O’Rourke, and State Rep. James Talarico all expressing interest in running.
In his campaign launch video, Allred highlighted his personal story, including buying his mother a house after turning pro in the NFL. He emphasized the need for a fair system where hardworking individuals can succeed without having to resort to unethical practices. Allred also pointed out his record of refusing corporate PAC money and abstaining from stock trading during his time in Congress.
The prospect of turning Texas blue has been a longstanding goal for Democrats, who believe that the state’s growing diversity will eventually work in their favor. However, former President Trump’s popularity among Latino voters in Texas, particularly in the Rio Grande Valley, poses a challenge to this narrative. Recent analyses have shown a significant shift towards the right in several Texas counties, including those with large Latino populations.
Early polling data suggests that Allred could potentially defeat Paxton in a head-to-head matchup, though he currently trails Cornyn by six points. The polling, conducted by the Senate Leadership Fund, underscores Paxton’s vulnerability in a general election while also indicating that Cornyn could lose to Paxton in the GOP primary.
Overall, Allred’s re-entry into the Texas Senate race adds another layer of excitement and competition to what is shaping up to be a closely watched and fiercely contested election.
