Cruz expands lead over Allred in Texas Senate race

Sen. Ted Cruz (R) has expanded his lead over Rep. Colin Allred (D) in the Texas Senate race as he attempts to lock down a third term in office, according to a new poll. 

A University of Houston survey released Wednesday showed that Cruz holds a 4-point advantage over Allred, a three-term House member, putting his lead outside of the 2.7 point margin of error. This is up from a 2 percentage point lead he held in mid-August in the same poll. 

According to the latest poll, Cruz is viewed favorably by 50 percent and unfavorably by 48 percent of surveyed voters. Forty-six percent of Texans view Allred favorably compared to 42 percent who view him unfavorably. 

On the presidential side, former President Trump leads Vice President Harris by 5 percentage points — mirroring his margin of victory in 2020 over President Biden in the Lone Star State.

For Democrats, Cruz’s seat is one of the only GOP-held ones that is within arm’s length with less than three weeks until Election Day, though it has proven difficult to get near. Most surveys in recent weeks, including one by The Hill/Emerson College, show Cruz with a 3- to 5-point lead. 

But the narrowing gap prompted the Cook Political Report to shift the race from “likely Republican” to “lean Republican” two weeks ago. 

Cruz has long been an animating figure to progressives, which has translated into a financial boon for Allred’s campaign. His team raised more than $30 million during the third fundraising quarter, giving him a financial advantage down the stretch in Texas, one of the most expensive states to campaign in.

The pair met for their first and only debate Tuesday night, leading to explosive moments between the two, particularly on abortion and the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol. Cruz attempted to paint Allred as a card-carrying progressive and not a moderate, while the congressman labeled the incumbent senator “a threat to democracy.” 

According to the Decision Desk HQ forecast, Cruz has a 75 percent chance of nabbing six more years in office next month.