Barely a blink after the chaos on Capitol Hill incited by then-president Donald Trump on January 6, 2021, Sen. Ted Cruz aligned with 16 other Republicans from Texas, voting against the validation of Joe Biden’s presidency. One year on, prodded for clarity on whether he deems Biden a legitimate election victor, Cruz evades a direct response. A simplistic, straightforward response shouldn’t be this elusive, yet it stands as evidence of an elusive belief system. If Cruz qualifies as an election skeptic, that alone is a valid reason to question his suitability for a third term in the U.S. Senate that is scheduled for Nov. 5.
Undermining the constitutional integrity of the 2020 election is tantamount to a blow to our democratic values, and such skeptics risk their place in Congress and the White House. However, it seems that Cruz has long surrendered his role as a dedicated public servant aiming to address Texan’s demands, opting to win favor with the radical elements of the GOP. As elections in Texas approach, the underlying query for voters is identifying a credible leader whose actions reflect their best interests in the U.S. Senate.
It appears that Colin Allred is the definitive choice, and hence, we suggest voters favor him over Cruz on Nov. 5. Rooted in his history of public service as a voting rights attorney and three-term congressman, Allred brings a refreshing new beginning and a sense of responsible leadership. Conversely, Cruz is not the change Texas needs. He seems worn, easily swayed by a culture of political confrontations marked by an obsession to ‘own the libs’ and provoke divisive rhetoric on social platforms rather than devising impactful legislation for Texans.
Clearly, Allred does not follow the same pattern. His comprehension of public policy extends a balanced and appropriate approach to governance, seeking bipartisan resolutions that appeal to a wide spectrum and not just the hardliners. Allred champions causes that disenfranchised Texans, who feel let down by Cruz’s actions, might appreciate.
These include fortifying safeguards for women who, consequent to the overrule of Roe v. Wade abortion rights protections, are compelled to seek medical help outside Texas; facilitating access to contraceptives and IVF treatments; and advocating for rational firearm regulations such as increasing the minimum age to purchase a semiautomatic rifle and endorsing ‘red flag laws’ designed to restrict dangerous individuals from owning firearms.
Allred asserts that Cruz’s lobbying to sit extreme judges on the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals drives the Texas abortion ban, and therefore assigns him singular accountability. Time and again, Cruz’s moves seem to let down his Texan constituents, illustrated in instances such as voting against the bipartisan CHIPS and Science Act designed to spur semiconductor R&D and production and opposing the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act which included reforms proposed after the post-Uvalde gun massacre.
Moreover, who can forget Cruz’s blatant disregard for his home state in its hour of need, when at the peak of a lethal and damaging winter storm in 2021, he absconded to the sunnier climes of Cancun.
Allred stands for a holistic immigration reform encompassing secure borders, a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants brought to the U.S. as children, and additional resources for training and equipment for the Border Patrol and border vicinity communities.
Senator Republicans, including Cruz, recite the crisis at the Texas border ad nauseam, yet they quashed a landmark immigration and border security bill in February. The bipartisan $118 billion immigration package extended emergency powers to curb border crossings during high migratory encounters and offered $20 billion in new funding for border security.
Ironically, it seems maintaining the status quo, although detrimental, makes a more compelling narrative for Cruz and his counterparts to hold up as ammunition during the election season.
Texans are in exigent need of effective leadership in the Senate, a leader who can actually effect change. Their best bet for U.S. senator could be Colin Allred.