The 2024 election is the year of the "vibes" candidates, and I'm not talking about just the presidential election and Vice President Kamala Harris.
It's also happening in the U.S. Senate race in Texas.
A vibes election for Texas or America feels warm, fuzzy and hopeful, but the results could mean harmful repercussions for Texans and Americans.
Texas is a consistently red state, despite persistent claims that it will someday turn purple or even blue. Republicans in Texas control the governor's office, both chambers of the state legislature, the judiciary and every statewide elected office from attorney general to railroad commissioner. They also hold both U.S. Senate offices and 25 of the 37 U.S. House seats.
So if there is a purple haze on the Texas horizon, it still appears deep crimson for now.
Yet, to the surprise of Texas Republicans, a recent poll indicated that Democratic Rep. Colin Allred has managed to shrink incumbent Sen. Ted Cruz's lead to only 4 points.
Allred, a former NFL linebacker, was elected to the U.S. House in 2018 representing the Dallas area.
I interviewed Allred this year while still a member of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram's Editorial Board. He comes across as warm, pleasant and moderate. Very moderate. Major newspapers in Texas have endorsed Allred, including The Dallas Morning News, the Houston Chronicle, the San Antonio........