Cruz calls out McConnell-aligned group for not spending 'a penny' in Texas [View all]

Source: The Hill

10/14/24 4:32 PM ET


Texas Sen. Ted Cruz (R) vented his frustration with the Senate Leadership Fund (SLF), a super PAC aligned with Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (Ky.), for not spending any money in his competitive re-election race, accusing McConnell of using the group to “punish” his critics in the Senate GOP conference.

“Mitch McConnell runs the largest Republican super PAC in the country and has $400 million but that super PAC is used to reward the Republican senators who obey him and to punish those who dare to stand up him,” Cruz told conservative talk-show host Mark Levin during a recent interview.

Asked if McConnell or SLF had put any money into his increasingly close race against Democratic Rep. Colin Allred (D-Texas), Cruz replied: “Not a penny.” The prominent Texas conservative said the same thing happened in 2018, when he barely beat Rep. Beto O’Rourke (D-Texas), who outspent him by a large margin.

“In 2018 I was in what was at the time the most expensive senate race in U.S. history. I was being outspent 3-1. He had $300 million, he spent zero in Texas. I won anyway but barely, by less than three points,” Cruz said, referring to McConnell and SLF. “This time around he has $400 million. I’m being massively outspent again. [Senate Majority Leader Chuck] Schumer [D-N.Y.] is spending millions. And yet he spent zero,” he added, referring to McConnell.

Read more: https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/4932873-cruz-slf-mcconnell-senate-texas/