Note: The Dallas Express staff took the time to highlight key elections ahead of the primary in Dallas-Fort Worth and across the state beyond this year’s presidential candidates. Here’s a look at the U.S. senator race in Texas.

Senator Ted Cruz, who has served in the role since 2013, has made his re-election intentions known as the incumbent seeks his third term in the federal office. A few Republican challengers have thrown their names into the running for consideration ahead of the primary, though the seriousness of their respective bids is unclear.

Dallas’ Colin Allred, a U.S. congressman representing the 32nd District of Texas, has emerged as the frontrunner for the Democratic bunch, though he faces a much more crowded primary pool than Cruz.

Here’s a look at who has been approved by the Texas Secretary of State to appear on the ballot for the Republican and Democratic parties for the primary election on March 5. Early voting is set to kick off on February 20.

Candidates are listed in alphabetical order by last name.

Republican primary candidates: 
Ted Cruz, U.S. senator (Incumbent)
Campaign website: https://www.tedcruz.org/

Holland “Redd” Gibson, retiree from Houston
Campaign website: None

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Rufus Lopez, attorney from San Antonio
Campaign website: None

Democratic primary candidates: 
Colin Allred, U.S. representative from Dallas
Campaign website: https://colinallred.com/

Aaron Arguijo, entrepreneur
Campaign website: None

Meri Gomez, taxation consultant
Campaign website: None

Mark Gonzalez, attorney from Corpus Christi
Campaign website: https://www.markagonzalez.com/

Roland Gutierrez, attorney from San Antonio
Campaign website: https://rolandfortexas.com/

Robert Hassan, businessman
Campaign website: None

Steven J. Keough, teacher
Campaign website: https://www.keoughforsenate.com/

Heli Rodriguez Prilliman, entrepreneur from Fort Worth
Campaign website: https://www.helifortexas.com/

Carl Sherman, paster/consultant from DeSoto
Campaign website: https://www.carlsherman.com/

Thierry Tchenko, politician
Campaign website: https://www.tchenkofortexas.com/

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