Texas Congressman and civil rights attorney Colin Allred (D) has officially announced his bid to run against Texas Senator Ted Cruz in the 2024 election.
“I’m running for U.S. Senate because Texans deserve a Senator whose team is Texas. Ted Cruz only cares about himself. Join our campaign today: colinallred.com" tweeted Rep. Allred.
I’m running for U.S. Senate because Texans deserve a Senator whose team is Texas. Ted Cruz only cares about himself.
Join our campaign today: https://t.co/2dROrrQrPV pic.twitter.com/9iz9yu1rFb
— Colin Allred (@ColinAllredTX) May 3, 2023
In 2018, Rep. Allred defeated the incumbent Congressman Pete Sessions (R) to unseat him. In a follow-up tweet, he reminded voters of their importance to his campaign.
“I’ve taken down a lot tougher guys than Ted Cruz, but I can’t do this without your help. Will you chip in to be a founding donor to my campaign?” tweeted Rep. Allred.
I’ve taken down a lot tougher guys than Ted Cruz, but I can’t do this without your help.
Will you chip in to be a founding donor to my campaign?https://t.co/hkgz9zyvBZ
— Colin Allred (@ColinAllredTX) May 3, 2023
In a statement, he reminded voters that he was trapped in the Capitol building while the January 6th Capitol Riots took place.
“When I left the NFL, I thought my days putting people on the ground were over. Then January 6th happened. I remember hearing the glass break and the shouts coming closer. I texted my wife, ‘Whatever happens, I love you.’” said Rep. Allred.
Rep. Allred contrasted his actions with Sen. Cruz’s.
“Then I took off my jacket and got ready to take on anyone who came through that door. And Ted Cruz? He cheered on the mob,” said the Texas lawmaker.
During the violent riot, Sen. Cruz looked for protection by hiding himself in a supply closet. Allred took issue with Cruz’s decision to enshroud himself.
“He hid in a supply closet when they stormed the Capitol. But that’s Ted for you. All hat, no cattle.”
Cruz came under fire in 2021 when he left the state to go on vacation in Cancun during a highly-destructive blizzard that caused power outages throughout the state.
“When Texans were freezing in the dark, he jetted off to Cancun. He’ll do anything to get on Fox News, but can’t be bothered to keep rural Texas hospitals open,” said the civil rights attorney.
The congressman accused the current Texas senator of inauthenticity. Moreover, he made claims that Cruz is disconnected from regular Texans.
“Spend months trying to whip up phony culture wars, but not a minute trying to raise wages or lower drug prices. The struggles of regular Texans just don’t interest him,” stated Allred.
Allred highlighted the sacrifices his mother made to protect him.
“Well, they matter to me, because those struggles are the story of my life. Mom was raised in Brownsville and moved to Dallas. She was a public school teacher, and worked two jobs to make ends meet.”
In contrast to his mother, Allred’s father was not there for him. Because of that, the civil rights attorney promised himself to become a good father to his children.
“I never knew my father. So I made a promise to myself a long time ago that when I became a dad, I would do it right,” said Allred.
Allred’s statement emphasized his history as a family man, including being the first member of Congress to announce his paternity leave.
“My family, my coaches, my counselors at the YMCA kept me on the right track. On the football field at Hillcrest High School and Baylor University, I learned the values that prepared me for life. How people can come together for something bigger than themselves.”
The congressman once again continued to emphasize how his background shaped his views, including his protection of veterans.
“I took those lessons with me into public service. That’s why I worked with Republicans to help our veterans, pass a new trade deal with Mexico, and bring high-tech manufacturing jobs back home. Because it was the right thing for our state.”
The Texas native repeated his rhetoric that the current senator does not care about Texas.
“We deserve a senator whose team is Texas. But Ted Cruz only cares about himself. You know that,” said Allred.
Allred challenged Cruz’s policies on several topics.
“He wants to divide us. To get people to fear their neighbors and turn on their teachers. He’d ban books, outlaw all abortions and cut Social Security and Medicare. That’s not my Texas.”
The civil rights attorney reminded voters of his values and journey to success.
“My boys are fifth-generation Texans. And they’ll make sure that this state is full of generous people who look out for each other. Where if you work hard and play by the rules, you can get ahead. That’s how a working-class kid raised by a single mom can make it to the NFL, law school, and even Congress,” said Allred.
The former NFL linebacker appealed to voters stating that they could remove the current senator from his seat by voting in someone new.
“We don’t have to be embarrassed by our senator. We can get a new one. Some people say a Democrat can’t win in Texas. Well, someone like me was never supposed to get this far. I’ve taken down a lot tougher guys than Ted Cruz. So let’s get on the field and find out.”
The congressman concluded his statement by announcing his official bid for election.
“I’m Colin Allred, and I’m running for Senate.”
Allred recently expressed his grief and disappointment after five lives, including the life of a child, were taken by a gunman in San Jacinto County.
“5 people, including an 8-year-old, were tragically killed last night by a man with an AR-style rifle. I join my fellow Texans in praying for this community,” said Rep. Allred.
Rep. Allred also pushed for getting rid of the assault weapons that contribute to several mass shootings a year.
“We cannot continue like this. We must get these AR-style weapons of war out of our neighborhoods.”
