WASHINGTON (AP) — Democrats are backing Colin Allred’s bid to defeat Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas and are investing $5 million in an ad campaign targeting abortion, a late campaign play for what is seen as a safe Republican seat.
The announcement by the Senate Majority PAC comes as Democrats face a series of challenging statewide races to maintain control of the upper chamber of Congress. Several Democrats are running for office in states that favor Republican candidate Donald Trump next month.
Texas hasn’t elected a Democrat statewide since 1994. That streak has endured even as several races over the years have captured national attention — perhaps most notably Cruz’s final reelection battle against Rep. Beto O’Rourke, who became a sensation among liberals and raised huge sums of money. of money. Cruz defeated O’Rourke by just over 2 percentage points.
Senate Majority PAC said the ad would focus on reproductive rights and highlight the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2022 decision to strike down a nationally guaranteed right to abortion. Texas has since banned all abortions.
The ad will appear in major state media markets on Friday – the same day that presidential candidates from both parties will visit the state.
Trump will be on hand for a taping with podcaster Joe Rogan and hold a news conference in Austin focused on immigration issues. Meanwhile, Vice President Kamala Harris is heading to Houston for a big meeting with Beyoncé, the star singer who grew up in the country’s fourth largest city.
