Texan Democrat runs for Senate, Ted Cruz calls them Pelosi’s puppet.

Former NFL Player and Obama Administration Official Challenges Ted Cruz for Senate Seat

Another House Democrat has thrown their hat into the ring to challenge Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) for his Senate seat in the upcoming 2024 election. Rep. Colin Allred, a former Tennessee Titans linebacker and Obama administration official, announced his campaign on Wednesday, vowing to be a Senator whose team is Texas.

Allred’s announcement video highlighted his journey from a “working class kid raised by a single mom” to making it to the NFL, law school, and then Congress. He also knocked Cruz over various political matters and the incumbent senator’s record, including reports that Allred was the first member of Congress to take paid paternity leave.

“Some people say a Democrat can’t win in Texas,” Allred said. “Well, someone like me was never supposed to get this far. I’ve taken down a lot tougher guys than Ted Cruz. So let’s get on the field and find out.”

Cruz Campaign Responds

After Allred announced his bid, the Cruz campaign fired back, labeling the Democrat a “puppet” for House Speaker Emeritus Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and arguing that Allred’s record and values are out of line with what Texans want.

Sen. @tedcruz campaign response . “Not only does Colin Allred vote with Nancy Pelosi 100% of the time, but his voting record is completely out-of-touch with Texas. Allred wants men to compete in women’s sports, isn’t serious about addressing the crisis at the border…” @FOX4 pic.twitter.com/bwmxq3R8nW

— Steven Dial (@StevenDialFox4) May 3, 2023

Cruz spokesperson Nick Maddux argued that Allred’s voting record is “completely out-of-touch with Texas” and that he is “too extreme for Texas.” Maddux also praised Cruz’s record, saying that he has been “leading the fight for jobs, freedom, and security in Texas” for over a decade.

Campaign Finance

In the first quarter of 2023, Cruz’s campaign said the senator raised $1.5 million, per the Texas Tribune. At that time, before Allred declared, he had $2 million cash on hand.

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