Republican Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas has significantly boosted his fundraising efforts in preparation for a tough re-election battle for a third term in the Senate. During the first quarter of 2024, Cruz raised over $9.7 million, nearly double the amount he raised in the previous quarter. His total cash-on-hand from his fundraising committees now stands at $15.1 million, more than double what he had at the end of 2023.
Cruz's team reported that he received over 179,000 unique contributions, with an average donation of $35.73. Contributions came from all 254 Texas counties and supporters in all 50 states. The senator's spokesperson emphasized the urgency for victory in the upcoming election, citing threats to Texas' way of life from Democrats.
His Democratic challenger, Rep. Colin Allred, has not yet disclosed his fundraising figures for the first quarter. Allred, a former NFL player and three-term congressman, raised $4.8 million in the last quarter of 2023.
In the 2018 Senate race, Cruz narrowly defeated Beto O'Rourke, who significantly outraised him. Cruz highlighted the Democrats' focus on Texas, with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer targeting him as a top priority. The GOP aims to regain control of the Senate, with favorable math and map in 2024, as Democrats defend more seats, including in red and swing states.
Overall, the fundraising efforts and political dynamics indicate a highly competitive and closely watched Senate race in Texas this November, with Cruz and Allred gearing up for a challenging campaign ahead.
