Three key races to watch in North Texas include:
1. Senate Race: U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz seeks re-election in a highly contested race against Democratic challenger Colin Allred. According to recent polls, Cruz holds a lead of approximately 4.8 points, reflecting a competitive electoral landscape.
This race is drawing significant attention, mainly because Cruz’s previous campaign in 2018 against Democrat Beto O’Rourke was one of the closest and most expensive Senate races in U.S. history—until this one.
The competition for the Texas U.S. Senate seat between current Cruz and Allred has officially set a record as the costliest Senate race in U.S. history. By mid-October, Cruz and Allred had amassed a total of $165 million, surpassing the previous high of $125 million from the 2018 matchup between Cruz and Beto O’Rourke, as previously reported by The Dallas Express.
2. Denton County Sheriff’s Race: In the Denton County Sheriff’s race, incumbent Republican Sheriff Tracy Murphree is running for re-election against Democratic challenger Frederick Bishop.
Murphree, who has been in office since 2016, boasts a track record of significant victories in his previous elections. He often won with large margins due to his tough-on-crime stance and proactive community engagement initiatives. His campaign highlights crime reduction achievements and public safety strategies.
On the other hand, Bishop, a former law enforcement officer, is advocating for reforms in policing practices and community-oriented approaches to law enforcement, positioning himself as an alternative in a predominantly Republican region.
3. Tarrant County Sheriff’s Race: The Tarrant County Sheriff’s race is garnering attention as incumbent Republican Sheriff Bill Waybourn faces scrutiny over various issues, particularly concerning conditions and management at the county jail.
Allegations of overcrowding and inadequate inmate treatment have sparked criticism from advocacy groups and community leaders.
Despite this controversy, Waybourn is running against Democrat Patrick Moses, a former police officer and community activist.
The race is expected to be competitive, with both candidates presenting different visions for law enforcement in Tarrant County.