Politics

Dem Congressman To Announce He’s Running Against Ted Cruz

REUTERS/Joshua Roberts

Kerry Picket Political Reporter
Font Size:

Texas Democratic Rep. Beto O’Rourke announced Wednesday he plans to declare his candidacy for Senate against Texas Republican Sen. Ted Cruz.

“Beto’s been traveling across Texas for the past four months, meeting with people in communities big and small. The energy and passion he’s seen have been inspiring. Together, we can do something really big, and really powerful for the state of Texas — and for this country,” an email statement to the Austin Statesman read. “Congressman Beto O’Rourke has a big announcement to make on Friday.”

O’Rourke is not the only Texas Democrat targeting Cruz’s seat in 2018. 

Rep. Joaquin Castro told The Houston Chronicle he would announce his decision in April as to whether he will run for Senate on the Democrat ticket.

“It’s no secret that Joaquin is heavily weighing a Senate run, and he will continue to have those discussions with his family, friends and supporters across Texas,” Castro’s political director, Matthew Jones, said in a statement Wednesday. “He plans to make his decision in the coming weeks.”

Cruz’s reelection for office follows him losing the Republican nomination for president to Donald Trump last year. As of early February, Cruz reportedly has $4.2 million cash on hand in his reelection treasure chest.

The Texas Republican raised around $782,000 for his reelection during the fourth quarter of last year, a report released the Federal Election Commission showed. Cruz also raised $262,000 last December for his joint fundraising committee.

Follow Kerry on Twitter