The Ted Cruz curse strikes again (I’m not kidding). Reportedly.
Texas senators’ attendance at sporting events across the state is famously a concern for reasons beyond politics. His appearances on baseball fields, football fields, and basketball courts have often been associated with subsequent defeats of various Texas teams.
And the phenomenon appears to have continued this week, as Cruz was seen at Minute Maid Park for both Tuesday and Wednesday games during the Houston Astros’ losing streak that prematurely ended the postseason.
The “Cruz curse” was also the basis for a social media ad posted last month by Rep. Colin Allred, a Texas Democrat who is running to unseat Cruz this November.
“Sports fans across Texas are suffering the same pain,” the commercial’s narrator says, referring to the University of Texas football team’s loss in the Sugar Bowl in January and the Houston Rockets’ playoff dreams ending in 2018. He continued to blame Cruise for the huge loss. .
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“You want to win? Lose Cruz,” the 30-second video concludes.
The race between Allred and Cruz is heating up, with some polls showing the two in a near tie heading into the fall. No Democrat has won statewide office in the deep-red Lone Star State since 1994. Cruz has been president since 2013.
The Cook Political Report on Tuesday changed its rating of the Senate race from “Republican-leaning” to “Republican-leaning,” signaling the strength of Democrats in the fierce battle for control of the Senate nationally.
Mr. Allred and Mr. Cruz are scheduled to face off in a debate on October 15th. Democrats that night may be hoping that the supposed “Cruz curse” extends beyond athletics.
Cruz’s campaign did not immediately respond to requests for comment about the ad or this week’s loss to the Astros.