A successful challenge to U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R) is “a long shot, at best” writes campaigns and elections analyst Jim Ellis in a new report.
2016 presidential candidate Ted Cruz (R) stands for re-election, and is drawing challenge interest from two Democratic US House members. Both Reps. Beto O’Rourke (D-El Paso) and Joaquin Castro (D-San Antonio) are openly considering running for the Senate. Mr. O’Rourke seems more committed to the race, while Rep. Castro said he will decide four or five weeks from now. It is probable that Rep. O’Rourke will enter the race and highly implausible that the two Congressmen will oppose each other in the Democratic primary. Such is especially true when considering that unseating Sen. Cruz is a long shot, at best.
For a time, Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Austin) reportedly had considered challenging Sen. Cruz for the Republican nomination, but such talk has died down in recent weeks. The Texas race will draw institutional Democratic national party support and backing from liberal political action organizations, but Sen. Cruz begins his re-election effort as a clear favorite in this consistently Republican state.
