Both major candidates for president are planning stops in Texas on Friday as early voting continues. Through Thursday, the Texas Secretary of State says 18% of registered voters had already cast a ballot. Early voting continues through Friday, November 1.
Donald Trump will campaign with Senator Ted Cruz in Austin. Trump also plans to talk to reporters about immigration and crime and will appear on Joe Rogan's podcast.
Kamala Harris will campaign with Democratic challenger Colin Allred in Houston. The two are scheduled to appear with Beyonce at a rally for abortion access.
SMU Political Science Professor Cal Jillson says issues like abortion and immigration have been important in Texas but will also draw national attention, so the candidates see an opportunity to attract a big audience while helping others down the ballot.
"I think normally candidates come to Texas this late in the cycle to raise money, but they also realize even though they're in Texas, the national news will cover whatever they say in Texas," says SMU Political Science Professor Cal Jillson.
In 2020, Donald Trump won Texas 52% to 47%. In 2016, Trump beat Hillary Clinton 53% to 44%.
Jillson says Trump is likely to win the state again, but polls show a closer match between Cruz and Allred.
"I think the presidential candidates know they could get some benefit from coverage here in Texas, but they know the Senate is going to be very, very close," he says.
Jillson says Donald Trump, JD Vance and Ted Cruz are popular among the Republican base, but Harris and Allred have tried to draw voters who might be more moderate.
"Particularly people in the middle, alienated suburban Republicans, for example, who can't stomach Trump are moving over to Kamala Harris," he says. "Both Harris and Allred believe they're running against candidates who put independent voters' teeth on edge. They want to try to attract those voters who might be alienated by Trump and Cruz."
In 2018, Ted Cruz won his second term in the U.S. Senate beating Democrat Beto O'Rourke 51% to 48%. In 2012, Cruz beat Paul Sadler 56% to 41% to replace Kay Bailey Hutchison, who had decided against running for a fourth full term.
LISTEN on the Audacy App
Tell your Smart Speaker to "PLAY 1080 KRLD"
Sign Up to receive our KRLD Insider Newsletter for more news
Follow us on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube