On Monday, Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) officially kicked off his re-election campaign, starting with a three-day swing through 12 Texas cities. On Tuesday morning, his challenger, Rep. Beto O'Rourke (D-Texas), announced that he raised a startling $6.7 million in the first quarter, more than double his previous record, $2.4 million, and more than any other Democratic Senate candidate brought in last quarter. And that $6.7 million came from 141,000 donors — or an average of $48 per person, as Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) might lay it out.
Cruz has not released his full first quarter figures, but the Federal Election Commission deadline isn't until April 15. As of the middle of February, Cruz had $6 million cash on hand to O'Rourke's $4.9 million, but O'Rourke has out-fundraised Cruz in three of the last four reporting periods. While Cruz hits 12 cities in three days, O'Rourke plans to visit 15 cities in Texas over the next six days, holding town hall events in each of them. Texas hasn't elected a Democrat to the Senate since 1988.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
-
Why Bhutan hopes tourists will put a smile back on its faceUnder The Radar The 'kingdom of happiness' is facing economic problems and unprecedented emigration
-
7 beautiful towns to visit in Switzerland during the holidaysThe Week Recommends Find bliss in these charming Swiss locales that blend the traditional with the modern
-
The Week contest: Werewolf billPuzzles and Quizzes
-
US charges Indian tycoon with bribery, fraudSpeed Read Indian billionaire Gautam Adani has been indicted by US prosecutors for his role in a $265 million scheme to secure solar energy deals
-
Boeing machinists approve contract, end strikeSpeed Read The company's largest union approved the new contract offer, ending a seven-week strike
-
US economy still strong in final preelection reportSpeed Read It grew at a solid 2.8% annual rate from July through September
-
Boeing machinists reject deal, continue strikeSpeed Read The rejection came the same day Boeing reported a $6.2 billion quarterly loss
-
Ports reopen after dockworkers halt strikeSpeed Read The 36 ports that closed this week, from Maine to Texas, will start reopening today
-
Empty-nest boomers aren't selling their big homesSpeed Read Most Americans 60 and older do not intend to move, according to a recent survey
-
Brazil accuses Musk of 'disinformation campaign'Speed Read A Brazilian Supreme Court judge has opened an inquiry into Elon Musk and X
-
Disney board fends off Peltz infiltration bidSpeed Read Disney CEO Bob Iger has defeated activist investor Nelson Peltz in a contentious proxy battle
