San Antonio Express-News (Sunday)
Experience makes Allred best for Senate
Before we turn to the candidates running in the 2024 Democratic primary for U.S. Senate, let’s revisit 2018. Beto O’Rourke’s 2018 campaign against U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz transformed the once-obscure El Paso congressman into a national figure and fundraising juggernaut. On his way to narrowly losing to Cruz, O’Rourke built a statewide network of passionate volunteers and generated turnout, which helped Democrats pick up 12 seats in the Texas House.
Still, with all his charisma, star appeal and fundraising prowess, O’Rourke lost by 2.6%. The narrow loss simultaneously reflected Cruz’s unpopularity at that time and the steep challenges Democrats face when running for statewide office in Texas.
At this moment, none of the nine candidates in this year’s Democratic Senate primary can match the star power of O’Rourke. But two of them — U.S. Rep. Colin Allred of Dallas and longtime state Sen. Roland Gutierrez of San Antonio — are more than capable of capturing voter interest and enthusiasm while offering a substantive challenge to Cruz.
We recommend Allred based on his experience in Congress, temperament and depth of knowledge on the issues.
Before we turn to Allred’s promise as a candidate and elected official, note that we have no shortage of praise for Gutierrez.
He is a longstanding member of the Bexar County delegation in Austin. He has been a powerful voice for the families of the Uvalde shooting victims. He speaks with force and passion about addressing gun violence, and he has demonstrated a growing comfort discussing federal issues.
Early in his campaign, Gutierrez often sounded like a candidate better suited to run for statewide office, speaking about Austin politics and the workings of the Legislature. In our most recent Editorial Board meeting with U.S. Senate candidates, Gutierrez demonstrated great dexterity on federal issues.
But Allred stood out for his six years of experience in Congress, depth of knowledge on federal and international issues, history as a bipartisan and independent lawmaker, and more moderate approach. In our Editorial Board meeting, he was respectful to his challengers, charismatic and measured in his answers, speaking with a mix of urgency and reflection about the impacts of federal laws and policies.
Allred, a former NFL linebacker and civil rights lawyer, has already demonstrated he can beat an entrenched Republican incumbent. In 2018, Allred defeated 11-term Republican Rep. Pete Sessions, who was chairman of the House Rules Committee.
Since then, he has proven himself to be an effective bipartisan lawmaker. Prior to his election to Congress, Allred served in the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development during the Obama administration. As a congressman, he served on the House Veterans Affairs Committee and currently sits on the House Foreign Affairs Committee.
He would have supported the failed bipartisan immigration deal in the U.S.
Senate, even though he was disappointed that it was tied to funding for Israel and Ukraine. He slammed Cruz’s opposition to the bill. “He wants the problem,” Allred said of Congress’ inability to address immigration. “He wants the problem politically.”
Gutierrez is an immigration lawyer, and he criticized the failed bipartisan immigration bill for not treating immigrants with dignity and for a lack of humanity. He took Allred to task for joining Republicans in condemning President Joe Biden’s handling of the border. But it should be noted that fellow Democratic U.S. Reps. Henry Cuellar and Vicente Gonzalez, who represent part of the Texas-Mexico border, also joined the resolution.
Both candidates support comprehensive immigration reform. But the reality is that the only path forward for such immigration reform will require bipartisan compromise. Allred has a proven bipartisan track record.
There are measured differences between the two candidates. Gutierrez, a vocal progressive, supports “Medicare for All,” an approach to universal health care, and a cease-fire in Gaza. Allred, who has received the endorsement of the AFL-CIO, stopped short of supporting “Medicare for All” and a cease-fire in Gaza.
The criticism that Allred is too quick to compromise with Republicans doesn’t move the needle for us. The reality is that bipartisanship is how things get done in Congress, and any Democrat seeking to win statewide in Texas will need an assist from Republican and independent voters. But should Allred win the nomination, he will need to be much more active campaigning in Texas and find a way to inspire Democratic voters.
Gutierrez has shown remarkable growth as a candidate. Should he be nominated, he will need to find a way to reach Republican and independent voters. But should he fall short in this bid, he will remain a significant voice in the Texas Senate.
On the Republican side, we can offer no recommendation.
Cruz is seeking his third term in the U.S. Senate and is the overwhelming favorite against little-known primary challengers Holland “Redd” Gibson and San Antonio attorney R.E. “Rufus” Lopez.
We have many questions for Cruz about his actions leading up to the insurrection of Jan. 6, 2021, as well as his decision to travel to Cancun, Mexico, during Winter Storm Uri. We hope to discuss those issues and many others with him during the general election campaign.
He stands out in the crowded Democratic field; on the GOP side, we make no recommendation