In a surprising twist in Texas politics, former President George W. Bush appears to have expressed admiration for Representative Colin Allred, the Democratic challenger vying to unseat incumbent Senator Ted Cruz. In a recent video circulating on social media, former President Bill Clinton mentioned Bush’s positive remarks about Allred, stating that Bush told him Allred is “great.”
“President Bush told me, ‘this guy is great!’” – President Bill Clinton
When @ColinAllredTX flipped a seat in 2018, he became George W. Bush’s Congressman. #TXSEN
WATCH: pic.twitter.com/l9gsr50uU6
— Paige Hutchinson (@PaigeHutchinson) November 2, 2024
Allred, a Democrat and former NFL player now representing Texas’s 32nd district, has built a reputation as a voting rights lawyer and resilient public servant after his football career ended due to injury. He is challenging Cruz, who has held his Senate seat since 2013, in what’s shaping up to be a closely watched race.
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Allred’s Journey to Politics
Bill Clinton’s video, shared by Paige Hutchinson, Allred’s campaign manager, highlights Allred’s transition from the football field to the courtroom, then into the political arena. “He got injured and it ended his career,” Clinton shared, “and instead of folding, he went back to law school, became a voting rights lawyer, and became somebody that anybody would be proud of.”
Allred’s appeal seems to cross party lines, with Bush’s supportive comments showing unexpected alignment with a Democratic candidate. Allred gained national attention in 2018 when he defeated long-standing GOP incumbent Pete Sessions to win his congressional seat, making him Bush’s representative in Congress.
Cruz vs. Allred: The Polling Landscape
The upcoming Senate race poses a significant challenge for Allred, who is up against Cruz in a state that has traditionally leaned Republican. In the previous 2018 election, Cruz narrowly held onto his seat against then-Representative Beto O’Rourke by a margin of just over 200,000 votes. The stakes remain high in 2024, with recent polling indicating a competitive race.
According to a Morning Consult poll conducted from October 22 to 31, Cruz holds a slim lead with 47% support among likely voters, while Allred follows closely at 44%. This poll’s margin of error is 2%, suggesting a tight race. Similarly, a Cygnal poll from October 26 to 28 found Cruz leading by 49% to Allred’s 45%.
Meanwhile, a poll by ActiVote conducted from October 21 to 27 shows Cruz with a slightly stronger advantage at 52% compared to Allred’s 48%, though this survey has a higher margin of error at 4.9%.
Silence from Bush on the Presidential Race
While Bush’s apparent endorsement of Allred signals a unique political dynamic in the Texas Senate race, he remains notably silent on the presidential contest between Democratic nominee Vice President Kamala Harris and Republican nominee former President Donald Trump. Pressure has mounted for Bush to make a statement, especially as prominent figures close to him have endorsed Harris.
Former Wyoming Congresswoman Liz Cheney, an anti-Trump Republican, has openly supported Harris, saying in a recent interview, “I can’t explain why George W. Bush hasn’t spoken out, but I think it’s time, and I wish that he would.”
Bush’s former Vice President Dick Cheney also endorsed Harris, referring to Trump as a “threat to our republic.” This sentiment is echoed by more than 200 former Bush administration staffers, including former White House communications director Nicolle Wallace, who recently expressed on MSNBC her hope that Bush will reconsider his stance of neutrality.
A Potential Shift in Texas
With Bush’s admiration for Allred coming to light and the narrowing poll numbers between Cruz and Allred, the Texas Senate race could be more competitive than many anticipated. As Election Day nears, Bush’s subtle backing may prove to be a deciding factor for undecided voters who respect the former president’s judgment and are looking for fresh leadership.
The political landscape in Texas remains dynamic, with the outcome likely to influence not just the Senate but also national politics at a critical juncture in U.S. governance.
Featured image via Political Tribune Gallery
