{"id":2318170,"date":"2024-08-02T11:41:02","date_gmt":"2024-08-02T15:41:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/top-senate-democrat-optimistic-party-can-oust-ted-cruz-washington-examiner\/"},"modified":"2024-08-02T11:42:30","modified_gmt":"2024-08-02T15:42:30","slug":"top-senate-democrat-optimistic-party-can-oust-ted-cruz-washington-examiner","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/top-senate-democrat-optimistic-party-can-oust-ted-cruz-washington-examiner\/","title":{"rendered":"Top Senate Democrat \u2018optimistic\u2019 party can oust Ted Cruz &#8211; Washington Examiner"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">24<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Ftop-senate-democrat-optimistic-party-can-oust-ted-cruz-washington-examiner%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2318170&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>The article discusses the \u200coptimism within the Democratic Party regarding\u2064 their chances of ousting Republican Senator Ted\u200b Cruz in Texas, as \u2063well as their\u200d overall prospects for the upcoming Senate elections. Senator \u200cGary Peters, the head of the\u2062 Democratic\u2062 Senate campaign\u200d committee, expressed confidence \u200dthat the party could achieve a net gain of 52 seats. This would involve not\u200d only defending Democratic-held seats in traditionally Republican areas like Montana and West Virginia but also making competitive\u2062 attempts in Texas and Florida.<\/p>\n<p>Cruz, who is seeking a third \u200dterm, is currently in\u2064 a tight race against Democratic Representative Colin Allred. \u200cWhile there\u2062 is speculation\u200d that \u2063Texas could be\u2063 shifting \u200ctoward a more competitive or &#8220;purple&#8221; status, \u200ccurrent\u200b polling indicates Cruz \u2062holds\u2062 a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/the-6-best-bets-for-conservative-friendly-entertainment-this-summer\/\" title=\"The 6 Best Bets for Conservative-Friendly Entertainment this Summer\">significant lead<\/a> of about 8 percentage points.\u2062 <\/p>\n<p>Peters believes that\u200b Vice \u200cPresident Kamala Harris\u2019s involvement in\u200d the campaign could mobilize voters and contribute positively to Democratic efforts in\u200d Texas and nationwide.\u200b He highlighted the increased enthusiasm and support for the party,\u2063 attributing part of this\u200d momentum to Harris\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/haley-seeks-to-neutralize-desantis-home-field-advantage-at-third-gop-debate\/\" title=\"Haley aims to level the playing field against DeSantis in third GOP debate.\">campaign presence<\/a>.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Top Senate Democrat &lsquo;optimistic&rsquo; party can oust Ted Cruz<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_1721373\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/democratic-party\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>Democrats<\/a> are facing an uphill battle to retain the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/senate\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>upper chamber<\/a> of Congress, but the chief of the party&rsquo;s Senate campaign arm says the red bastions of Texas and Florida are theirs for the taking.<\/p>\n<p>Sen. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/gary-peters\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>Gary Peters<\/a> (D-MI) <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcnews.com\/politics\/2024-election\/live-blog\/harris-trump-presidential-election-live-updates-rcna164124#rcrd50170\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>said<\/a> it&rsquo;s &ldquo;very possible&rdquo; his party can capture 52 seats in the Senate.<\/p>\n<p>That would require holding Democratic seats in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/gabriella-hoffman-idaho-lawmakers-strongly-oppose-lava-ridge-wind-project\/\" title=\"Gabriella Hoffman: Idaho Lawmakers Strongly Oppose Lava Ridge Wind Project\">predominantly red states<\/a> such as Montana and West Virginia, along with maintaining seats in purple states and flipping seats in Texas and Florida. Texas, with longtime incumbent Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX), looks to be particularly challenging.<\/p>\n<p>Texas has been red for years, though speculation has grown that it may be more of a purple state. Cruz is facing Rep. Colin Allred (D-TX) in his bid to be elected for the third straight time to his Senate office.<\/p>\n<p>While there&rsquo;s reason to believe it may be a close race, polling has been decisive for Cruz. Very few polls show the race tied, and no prominent ones show Allred leading.<em> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.realclearpolling.com\/polls\/senate\/general\/2024\/texas\/cruz-vs-allred\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>RealClearPolling<\/a><\/em>  has Cruz leading by about 8 percentage points on average.<\/p>\n<p>Peters thinks Vice President Kamala Harris can energize voters enough to help the Texas race along with others across the country.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;With Vice President Harris now at the top of the ticket, it&rsquo;s just been remarkable to see the outpouring of support for her,&rdquo; Peters said. <\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;It&rsquo;s certainly been great,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;The amount of energy that is on the ground is something I haven&rsquo;t seen for a long, long time. And that&rsquo;s going to bode very well for all of our Senate races across the country. Having the energy on the ground with the Harris campaign just gives momentum to each of the candidates to make sure that they win in the end.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Former Rep. Beto O&rsquo;Rourke has significant recent experience as a Democrat in statewide races. He came within about 2.6 points from upsetting Cruz in the 2018 Senate race and then followed that up with a double-digit loss to Gov. Greg Abbott (R-TX) in the 2022 gubernatorial race.<\/p>\n<p>O&rsquo;Rourke&rsquo;s 2018 race looked to be one of the best chances the party had to flip the state, but the Democrats missed their opportunity. Given the polling between Allred and Cruz, it doesn&rsquo;t look to be a better opportunity than 2018.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title><strong><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Nevertheless, Peters is &ldquo;very optimistic&rdquo; for the Texas and Florida Senate races and thinks the &ldquo;numbers are strong&rdquo; in those states. &ldquo;We&rsquo;re expecting big turnout to help our Democratic candidates.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Better opportunities for Democrats may lie in Arizona and Michigan, where Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) and Rep. Elissa Slotkin (D-MI) have had much better polling than in Texas or Florida. But those seats may not be enough for Democrats to keep the Senate, which will likely become a Republican chamber come January.<\/p>\n<p> <script data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/cdn-cgi\/scripts\/5c5dd728\/cloudflare-static\/email-decode.min.js\"><\/script><script>!function(){var g=window;g.googletag=g.googletag||{},g.googletag.cmd=g.googletag.cmd||[],g.googletag.cmd.push(function(){g.googletag.pubads().setTargeting(\"has-featured-video\",\"true\")})}();<\/script><script>var _bp=_bp||[];_bp.push({\"div\":\"Brid_1721373\",\"obj\":{\"id\":\"27789\",\"width\":\"1280\",\"height\":\"720\",\"stickyDirection\":\"below\",\"video\":\"1721373\"}});<\/script><script defer src=\"https:\/\/services.brid.tv\/player\/build\/brid.min.js\"><\/script><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Top Senate Democrat Expresses Confidence in Ousting Ted Cruz<\/p>\n<p>Democrats are confronting a tough challenge in their efforts to maintain control of the Senate, yet the head of the party&#8217;s Senate campaign committee believes they can make significant gains in traditionally Republican states like Texas and Florida. Senator Gary Peters (D-MI) stated that it is &#8220;very possible&#8221; for Democrats to secure 52 seats in the Senate. Achieving this would necessitate holding onto Democratic seats in largely red states such as Montana and West Virginia, while also retaining positions in swing states and flipping seats in Texas and Florida.<\/p>\n<p>Texas, where long-serving incumbent Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) is running for re-election against Representative Colin Allred (D-TX), presents a particularly tough challenge. The state has been solidly Republican for years, but there are growing indications that it may be shifting towards being more competitive. Although some believe this race could be close, polling data has consistently favored Cruz, with RealClearPolitics showing him leading by an average of about 8 percentage points.<\/p>\n<p>Peters believes that Vice President Kamala Harris can galvanize voters not only for the Texas race but also for other contests nationwide. He remarked on the remarkable support she has received: &#8220;The energy on the ground is something I haven\u2019t seen for a long time,&#8221; which he feels will positively impact all Democratic candidates across various races.<\/p>\n<p>Former Representative Beto O\u2019Rourke has relevant experience from his previous statewide campaigns; he narrowly lost to Cruz by approximately 2.6 points in 2018 before suffering a larger defeat against Governor Greg Abbott (R-TX) in 2022. While O\u2019Rourke\u2019s near victory was seen as a prime opportunity for Democrats to flip Texas, current polling suggests that Allred may not have better prospects than O\u2019Rourke did back then.<\/p>\n<p>Despite these challenges, Peters remains &#8220;very optimistic&#8221; about both Texas and Florida races and believes there is strong potential voter turnout to support Democratic candidates. More favorable opportunities might exist elsewhere\u2014specifically Arizona and Michigan\u2014where Representatives Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) and Elissa Slotkin (D-MI) have shown stronger polling numbers compared to those running in Texas or Florida. However, even if these candidates succeed, it may not be sufficient for Democrats to retain control of the Senate when Congress reconvenes next January<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2318171,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Gary-Peters-hearing.webp","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[538],"tags":[33399,32504,33619,32090,32076],"class_list":["post-2318170","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-washington-examiner","tag-2024-elections","tag-political-strategy","tag-senate-democrats","tag-ted-cruz","tag-washington-examiner"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Gary-Peters-hearing.webp","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2318170","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2318170"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2318170\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2318171"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2318170"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2318170"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2318170"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}