WASHINGTON — Rep. Colin Allred, a Texas Democrat from Dallas, is aiming to do what no other Texas Democrat has been able to accomplish in three decades: win a statewide election. He intends to focus on the events that took place in Washington on January 6, 2021, to draw public attention. Allred sought to draw a sharp contrast between his actions and those of Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), who is seeking a third term in the Senate.
When Allred first announced his bid for the Senate last year, he recalled the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol. Lawmakers were inside the building to certify the 2020 election results. Allred was on the floor of the House chamber when the mob overpowered Capitol Police and entered the building.
“I texted my wife, no matter what happens, I love you. Then I took off my jacket and got ready to confront whoever was coming through that door, and Ted Cruz, he was rooting for the mob. We did,” Allred said in the announcement video.
Allred and Democrats allege that Republicans incited the riot by indulging in unverified claims of election interference.
Mr. Cruz objected to Arizona’s electors voting for Joe Biden. Cruz said he is calling for an election commission to conduct a 10-day election audit. He argued that Democrats should welcome the review.
“For people who respect voters, simply telling voters, ‘Go jump in the lake, the fact that you have deep concerns has nothing to do with us,’ is not enough to undermine the legitimacy of this election and subsequent elections.” I think it puts sexuality at risk,” Cruz said. January 6th.
The riot prompted a House Select Committee investigation. Former Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.), one of the committee’s two Republicans, later condemned former President Donald Trump’s actions that day. Cheney endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris for president and Allred for Senate.
“History tells us that when times of testing came, we did our duty and we won because we loved our country more,” Cheney said at an early morning rally in Ripon, Wisconsin. Please help us make it right.” this month.
In the first and only Senate debate this month, questions about indicting the rioters brought Jan. 6 back into the spotlight.
“You can’t be on the side of the rioters on January 6th, you can’t be on the side of the police, and that’s not fun, because you’re a threat to democracy,” Allred told Cruz during the debate. told.
President Trump has said that if elected president, he would pardon the January 6 riot. Mr. Cruz, meanwhile, said people who committed acts of violence should not be pardoned and that the Justice Department was being too heavy-handed.
“Congressman Allred is happy to talk about the people who committed the violence on January 6th, but he hasn’t heard about the Antifa and Black Lives Matter riots,” Cruz said of protests after the killing of a Minnesota police officer. mentioned. George Floyd’s.
As both candidates seek to assert a bipartisan mandate, some political analysts believe Allred is trying to sway moderate Republicans and independents by focusing on January 6. points out.
“While the role of the events of January 6th and their role in casting doubt on whether the election will be conducted fairly will not be a deciding factor for many voters, they are They use it to make voting decisions,” said James Riddleperger, a political science professor at Texas Christian University.
Polls mostly show Cruz winning, but Allred consistently stays within the margin of error.
