Republican Senator Ted Cruz of Texas has significantly increased his fundraising efforts in the first quarter of 2024 as he faces a tough re-election battle for his third six-year term in the Senate. Cruz raised over $9.7 million in the first three months of the year, nearly double the amount he raised in the previous quarter. His total cash-on-hand, which includes contributions to the National Republican Senatorial Committee and the Republican Party of Texas, is now at $15.1 million, more than double the amount he had at the end of 2023. Cruz received over 179,000 unique contributions with an average of $35.73 per contribution, demonstrating broad support for his campaign.
Cruz’s spokesperson highlighted the senator’s strong start to the year and emphasized the urgency for victory as Democrats threaten to challenge Texas’ way of life. Cruz is actively engaging with Texans across the state to secure victory in the upcoming election and uphold Texas as a bastion of liberty. His Democratic challenger, Rep. Colin Allred, has not yet announced his first quarter fundraising figures. Allred, a former NFL player and three-term congressman, raised $4.8 million in the fourth quarter of last year. Cruz narrowly defeated Beto O’Rourke in a highly publicized 2018 Senate race that attracted national attention.
Cruz’s previous opponent, O’Rourke, significantly outraised him in the 2018 race, highlighting the contentious nature of Texas politics. Cruz recently expressed concerns about Democrats targeting Texas in the upcoming election, with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer singling out Cruz as the top Republican to defeat. Democrats are expected to spend over $100 million in the state, but Cruz remains confident in the support he has from conservatives nationwide. With a slim majority in the Senate, Democrats are defending 23 of the 34 seats up for grabs this year, making it a favorable environment for the GOP to potentially regain control.
The political landscape in 2024 indicates a challenging road for Democrats, as they defend multiple seats in states won by former President Trump in 2020. Republicans have good prospects in key swing states, as well as an open seat in West Virginia after Senator Joe Manchin’s announcement that he will not seek re-election. Senate Republicans have recruited popular former Governor Larry Hogan in blue-state Maryland, while competitive races are expected in Texas and Florida. With Republicans needing a net gain of one or two seats to secure a majority in the Senate, the upcoming elections are poised to be crucial for the balance of power in Congress. Fox News Digital offers ongoing coverage and updates from the 2024 campaign trail to keep readers informed on the latest developments.
