Texas Sen. Ted CruzRafael (Ted) Edward CruzSenate advances public lands bill in late-night vote The Hill’s Morning Report – Trump’s public standing sags after Floyd protests GOP senators introduce resolution opposing calls to defund the police MORE (R) warned Republicans that his home state will be “hotly contested” in 2020.
The senator made the comments at a Christian Science Monitor breakfast and signaled that while he had faith in President TrumpDonald John TrumpSenate advances public lands bill in late-night vote Warren, Democrats urge Trump to back down from veto threat over changing Confederate-named bases Esper orders ‘After Action Review’ of National Guard’s role in protests MORE and fellow Texas Sen. John CornynJohn CornynSenate headed for late night vote amid standoff over lands bill Koch-backed group launches ad campaign to support four vulnerable GOP senators Tim Scott to introduce GOP police reform bill next week MORE (R) in the state, they still would face a “tough race” next year, according to Politico.
ADVERTISEMENT
The Texas senator faced a tough reelection battle in 2018, narrowly defeating now-former Rep. Beto O’RourkeBeto O’RourkeBiden will help close out Texas Democrats’ virtual convention: report O’Rourke on Texas reopening: ‘Dangerous, dumb and weak’ Parties gear up for battle over Texas state House MORE (D-Texas) by roughly 2 points.
“I think the Texas election in 2018 is powerful foreshadowing for what to expect across the country in 2020,” Cruz said.
Cruz maintained that he did not believe Democrats would be able to turn Texas blue in 2020, but said Republicans would need to turn their voters out.
“If we lose Texas, it’s game over,” he said. “I don’t believe Texas will turn blue, but central to that is we’re going to have to work to communicate and turn people out.”
Cruz’s comments come after a Univision News survey of Texas released earlier this week showed the three top Democratic presidential contenders, former Vice President Joe BidenJoe BidenHillicon Valley: Biden calls on Facebook to change political speech rules | Dems demand hearings after Georgia election chaos | Microsoft stops selling facial recognition tech to police Trump finalizing executive order calling on police to use ‘force with compassion’ The Hill’s Campaign Report: Biden campaign goes on offensive against Facebook MORE and Sens. Bernie SandersBernie SandersThe Hill’s 12:30 Report: Milley apologizes for church photo-op Harris grapples with defund the police movement amid veep talk Biden courts younger voters — who have been a weakness MORE (I-Vt.) and Elizabeth WarrenElizabeth WarrenWarren, Democrats urge Trump to back down from veto threat over changing Confederate-named bases OVERNIGHT DEFENSE: Joint Chiefs chairman says he regrets participating in Trump photo-op | GOP senators back Joint Chiefs chairman who voiced regret over Trump photo-op | Senate panel approves 0B defense policy bill Trump on collision course with Congress over bases with Confederate names MORE (D-Mass.), leading Trump in the state.
Cornyn will also likely face an uphill climb in the state, which hasn’t seen a Democrat win statewide in 25 years.
An Emerson College–Dallas Morning News survey released last month showed Cornyn with just a 37 percent job approval rating, while 31 percent said they disapproved.
So far, seven Democrats have stepped up to challenge Cornyn in 2020.
Click Here: New Zealand rugby store