Texas US Senate Primary Campaigns Conclude Ahead of Super Tuesday Vote

Campaigns Wrap Up for March 5 Primary

Candidates for the U.S. Senate in Texas concluded their primary campaigns, making final appeals to voters ahead of the March 5, 2024, primary elections. This date, part of the larger Super Tuesday contests across the United States, saw Texans cast their ballots to determine who would represent the Republican and Democratic parties in the November general election. The primary election was a crucial step in the race for the Class I U.S. Senate seat, currently held by Republican Senator Ted Cruz.

Republican Primary Sees Incumbent Advance

On the Republican side, incumbent Senator Ted Cruz sought re-election to a third term. He faced challenges from Holland Gibson and Rufus Lopez in the primary contest. Senator Cruz successfully secured the Republican nomination, advancing to the general election.

Democratic Field Contends for Nomination

The Democratic primary for the U.S. Senate seat featured a crowded field of candidates. Among the prominent contenders were U.S. Representative Colin Allred, a former NFL player and civil rights attorney, and State Senator Roland Gutierrez. Other candidates included Carl Sherman Sr., Meri Gomez, Mark Gonzalez, Ahmad Hassan, Steven Keough, Heli Rodriguez-Prilliman, and Thierry Tchenko. Allred emerged victorious from the Democratic primary, securing his party's nomination to challenge Senator Cruz in the general election.

Looking Ahead to the General Election

With the primary campaigns concluded and nominees selected, the focus shifted to the November 5, 2024, general election. The contest between Republican incumbent Ted Cruz and Democratic challenger Colin Allred was set to be a closely watched race in a state traditionally considered a Republican stronghold. The 2018 Senate election in Texas, which saw Senator Cruz win by a narrow margin, had previously fueled speculation about the state's potential to become a swing state.