Democratic U.S. Rep. Colin Allred is challenging incumbent Republican Sen. Ted Cruz who is seeking reelection to a third six-year term.

Democrats are seeing new signs they could make inroads in the traditionally deep-red state of Texas this fall. The party has long faced hurdles in the Lone Star State. Winning the White House race this year still looks like a long shot,

Is Texas a battleground state? Hardly. The vast majority of races on November’s Texas ballots are highly predictable, offer little to no competition and won’t change the state’s political dynamic. Republicans have controlled statewide politics for nearly 30 years.