Representative and Senate hopeful Colin Allred (D-TX) has released a campaign advertisement featuring the border wall and law enforcement, a measure he vehemently opposed in the past. In the ad, Rep. Allred attacks his opponent, Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX), for voting against the bipartisan border bill that was shot down by Republicans earlier this year.
The deal would’ve allowed an influx of illegal immigrants into the country through the southern border but provided $20.23 billion for “operational needs and capabilities” as well as resources for the new border policies, according to CNN.
The right side of the aisle did not like the negotiated bill, as some GOP members declared that it would make the situation at the southern border worse. It was ultimately shot down by former President Donald Trump (R).
This political chess move from Rep. Allred to navigate toward the center follows Vice President Kamala Harris’ (D) strategy, as she has also been keen on border security. Axios stated that VP Harris has pledged to “spend hundreds of millions of dollars on the wall” despite her opposition to it for years.
According to Fox News, in 2018, Rep. Allred told event attendees “If they build that racist wall, my generation is the one that will tear it down. You’re not going to have a wall in this country.”
Moreover, in May of 2023, Allred opposed the Secure the Border Act – also known as H.R. 2. This bill passed in the House by a 219-213 vote without support from a single Democrat representative.
In response to Fox News’ report, Rep. Allred’s campaign spokesperson Josh Stewart said that he is “laser focused” on bipartisan solutions surrounding the southern border and took a shot at Sen. Cruz in the process.
"Congressman Allred is laser focused on solutions supported by both parties to fix our broken immigration system and secure our border,” said Stewart. “Ted Cruz has been in the Senate 12 years and has nothing to show for it. He tanked bipartisan legislation that would secure our border. Lyin’ Ted only cares about himself, and Texans know he will never be part of a real solution.”
According to a new University of Texas poll, Sen. Cruz is leading Rep. Allred by eight points.
