Alert – Ted Cruz gets a BOOST in the polls in his critical Texas Senate race with Colin Allred

A new poll of Texas voters gives incumbent Sen. Ted Cruz a five-point lead over his Democratic rival Colin Allred.

If the election were tomorrow, Cruz would win reelection with 51 percent of the vote to Allred’s 46 percent, according to a Marist Poll of 1,186 likely voters published Thursday.

It shows Cruz performing better than in some other recent polls, which have led to Republican jitters they could lose a deep red state.

Elsewhere Republicans are in a strong position to flip the Senate, with several opportunities to pick up seats.

But Democrats have been eyeing Texas as a Republican seat that could be vulnerable.

Democrats believe they can beat Sen. Ted Cruz in November’s election but he received welcome news in the latest Marist poll of voters in Texas

The new poll is good news for Cruz but suggests that Allred may not be out of the race.

Cruz, a notably prickly character who is unloved even by some in his own party, has a net favorability score of zero.

Allred, a member of the House of Representatives, is viewed favorably by 39 percent of respondent and unfavorably by 36 percent.

That leaves a quarter of voters saying they do not know who he is or unsure how to rate him, 

But he does does have an edge among independents by 8 points.

At the same time the data show Cruz undeperforming Republican candidate for president Donald Trump, who can rely on the support of 53 percent of voters. 

It comes a day after Florida Atlantic University’s poll gave Cruz just a three-point lead.

Colin Allred has represented Texas’ 32nd congressional district since 2019 and is running for Senate. He raised $30 million during the past three months

Democrats believe they have the energy and money to dump Cruz out

The numbers follow a familiar pattern. Six years ago Democrat Beto O’Rourke looked as if he might surging towards an upset win over the incumbent, only to lose by two and a half points on election night.

Once again, Democratic donors are putting their money where there mouths are. On Tuesday, Allred’s campaigned announced it had raised more than $30 million during the past three months.

In contrast, Cruz and allied groups raised $21 million. 

The next pivotal moment is expected next week when the two men take the debate stage.

Allred is a former professional football player and has represented Texas’ 32nd congressional district since 2019.