Posted on 01/27/2017 1:27:30 PM PST by Responsibility2nd
U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro, D-TX, told Buzzfeed Wednesday he's still deciding whether or not he'll challenge Ted Cruz for the Senate in 2018.
Cruz makes up one half of the state's representation in the U.S. Senate along with fellow Republican John Cornyn. He's held the seat since 2012, according to his website.
"There's no question it would be a tough race and he would have a lot of money and he is really beloved by his base — you've gotta give him credit for that, but at the same time, he really has not done much for the people of Texas," Castro said.
This isn't the first time the congressman has floated the idea of running against Cruz. During the 2016 Democratic National Convention in July, Castro said he was looking at a possible run.
Cruz fired back on Twitter that afternoon urging followers to donate money to help him "fight back against the Castro brothers and any attempt by the media or establishment to turn Texas blue!"
Then, in a fundraising email the same day, Cruz said: "Despite any record of achievement and a liberal ideology out of touch with the majority of Texans, the Castro brothers have the full support of the mainstream media and Washington establishment willing to do everything in their power to turn Texas blue."
"In order to stop the Castro brothers attempts to bring their liberal ideology to the halls of the U.S. Senate — I need you by my side," he added.
Despite Republican doubt, Castro told Buzzfeed there was also a possibility of turning Texas, a historically red state, blue, and Donald Trump's election could help with that.
"I think in the coming years, especially because you've got Donald Trump in the White House, I think you're going to see a lot of gains in state legislative races for Democrats," he said. "I think it's possible to win in the next few years a state-wide race."
But Castro isn't the only representative from Texas considering challenging Cruz for the Sentate seat. In a press conference Friday, U.S. Rep. Beto O'Rourke, D-El Paso, said he is "very close to making a positive decision to run against Cruz" in 2018.
The border congressman also condemned President Donald Trump's immigration rhetoric and executive actions, arguing that building a wall and imposing trade tariffs on Mexico will jeopardize more than six million jobs in the United States.
kbradshaw@express-news.net
Twitter: @kbrad5
A lot of Freepers will be supporting Castro?
Cruz will win by double digits against whatever sacrificial lamb the DNC dredges up.
I would be more concerned about NOT having Cruz on the ballot. Remember, there’s another Bush in Austin itching for higher office.
One of the ever grinning village idiots.
He’s “Walkin’ Castro”....
Speaking of the devil, Cornyn was on Ft. Hood earlier today and is in Temple (about 20 miles east of Ft. Hood) right now speaking to a business group...and being protested outside. (I’m not there, lol, just watching the coverage on the local news.) Of course the protesters are exactly the disheveled, disorganized sort whom we saw at the gals’ march in D.C. the other day: crusty old hippies and dipwad millenials. There are a few rainbow flags and plenty of “clever” posters (covering every topic under the sun, just like the random, unfocused posters in D.C.).
I actually feel a little sorry for Cornyn, if he’s going to be greeted by that band of fruitcakes when he leaves his business event. If those morons aren’t careful, they will get him reelected, for sure! I don’t know why the liberals can’t figure that out. They absolutely shoot themselves in their collective foot with their anti-American antics.
Excellent!! I think most of the Texans who were upset with him in 2016 will be over it enough to vote for him by the time he’s up for reelection, especially if he has a lousy challenger, whether in the primary or general.
He definitely has my vote!
“I will GLADLY vote for Cruz in his reelection bid! I hope all Texas FReepers will.”
I surely intend to, some people have mentioned Dewhurst name, they don’t know Dewhurst like we Texans do!
“I think it is 50/50 whether Cruz will be renominated in ‘18. He seriously pissed a lot of people off last year with his stunt at the convention. I don’t live in Texas but if I did, I’d be looking for someone else to vote for in a primary.”
That is just it, you don’t live in Texas, no matter what anyone else says, Cruz is still popular in Texas!
-——I think it is 50/50 whether Cruz will be renominated in ‘18-——
Do yourself a huge favor. Don’t be a betting man...
Cruz will win in a breeze against any dem...
Not the issue, can he win against a solid conservative republican? If there even is one anymore.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.