Republicans have a stranglehold on every statewide elected office in Texas and control the state Supreme Court, both chambers of the Legislature and both U.S.

Cruz has represented Texas in the Senate since 2013 and has generally maintained his lead in recent polls, but the surveys show a tight race. At least one put Allred, a U.S. Representative from Dallas, ahead by one point. Were he to win on Nov. 5, he’d achieve what every other statewide Democrat has failed to do since 1994.