July 12, 2024
In a heated race for the U.S. Senate in Texas, incumbent Senator Ted Cruz is facing a formidable challenge from Congressman Colin Allred. Both candidates reported significant fundraising hauls for the second quarter of 2024, with Cruz raising $12.6 million and Allred closely trailing with $10.5 million. Allred’s fundraising performance outpaces the totals of 2018 Democratic candidate Beto O’Rourke at the same point in his campaign.
Cruz’s fundraising total broke all his previous records, more than doubling his first-half 2018 performance. “We continue to see growing support for Senator Cruz in every corner of the Lone Star State,” said Nick Maddux, Cruz’s campaign spokesman. “This quarter’s record-breaking fundraising numbers are indicative of Texans’ steadfast support for Senator Cruz, but the job isn’t done yet. Senator Cruz will continue working day in and day out to ensure victory in November to Keep Texas, Texas.”
Cruz’s total of $12.6 million includes contributions to his campaign account, his super PAC, joint fundraising accounts, and donations itemized for him by the National Republican Senatorial Committee and the Texas GOP. With an average contribution of $33.25, Cruz’s campaign shows widespread grassroots support across all 254 counties in Texas, bringing his cash on hand to $22.1 million at the close of the period.
On the other hand, Colin Allred’s campaign has amassed a total of $38 million since its inception, with an average donation of $33.59. Allred’s $10.5 million second-quarter haul slightly exceeds Beto O’Rourke’s fundraising total for the same period in 2018, a notable feat considering O’Rourke’s strong financial backing during his campaign. Paige Hutchinson, Allred’s campaign manager, emphasized the significance of this achievement. “Texans are sending a clear message to Ted Cruz that they are ready to move on from him and his policies that are hurting Texas families, and that they are ready to elect Colin Allred to bring a new generation of leadership to the Senate.”
Allred’s campaign is heavily backed by the gun-control lobby. Endorsed by Giffords, a prominent gun control advocacy group, Allred has centered his campaign on the promise of implementing stricter gun control measures. This endorsement is part of a broader strategy by anti-gun groups to make significant inroads in Texas, a state traditionally known for its strong gun rights stance.
The involvement of influential figures such as George Soros further underscores the intensity of the effort to flip Texas blue. Soros and other gun control advocates are significantly ramping up their financial support in Texas, aiming to turn the state into a Democratic stronghold. With significant funding funneled into the state, groups like Everytown for Gun Safety and Giffords are tripling down on their efforts to reshape Texas’s political landscape.
The race between Cruz and Allred is not just a contest of political ideologies but also a battleground for the future of gun rights in Texas. Cruz, a staunch defender of the Second Amendment, represents a traditional pro-gun stance, while Allred’s campaign, bolstered by gun control advocates, pushes for more restrictive firearm laws.
As the November election approaches, both campaigns are expected to ramp up their efforts, with even more significant fundraising hauls likely in the coming months. The outcome of this race could have far-reaching implications, not only for Texas but for the national conversation on gun control and Second Amendment rights.
Texas Gun Rights is mobilizing its members across the state to make gun rights—and stopping Biden’s anti-gun agenda—a winning issue in November.
