Top Republican betrays their party with this endorsement of a Leftist candidate

Tarrant County Judge Glenn Whitley

The Democrats are grinning ear to ear. They now have support from this leading GOP member.

And a top Republican has betrayed their party with this endorsement of a Leftist candidate.

Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) is facing an unexpectedly competitive re-election campaign, with recent developments further tightening the race. This week, a significant shift occurred when former Tarrant County Judge Glenn Whitley, a prominent Republican, announced he would be supporting Democratic challenger Rep. Colin Allred (D-TX).

While this endorsement may not directly change the outcome of the race, it highlights the internal divisions within the GOP and signals that Democrats’ efforts to make inroads in Texas might be gaining traction.

Whitley, who served as Tarrant County Judge from 2007 to 2022, had previously refrained from endorsing Democrats throughout his long political career. However, he broke that pattern in 2022 by supporting Democrat Mike Collier in the lieutenant governor race against Dan Patrick.

His endorsement of Allred marks only the second time he has crossed party lines, and it emphasizes the increasing polarization within Texas politics. The Senate race has grown closer, prompting the Cook Political Report to move Texas from the “likely Republican” category to “lean Republican.”

“I am proud to be a Texan and an American, and I want to support someone who I know is going to work for a team,” Whitley stated. He voiced support for both Allred and Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 election, making clear that his backing stems from dissatisfaction with the current direction of the Republican Party.

Whitley acknowledged that some far-right Republicans might dismiss him as a “RINO” (Republican In Name Only), but he emphasized his deliberate choice.

“But I’ve looked at this. And as I’ve said, Collier was the first Democrat I had ever openly endorsed. And Harris and Allred will be the second and third,” he explained in an interview with Inside Texas Politics.

Whitley shared that many Republicans he had spoken with are uncomfortable voting for a Democrat but plan to abstain from voting for Cruz or other top-ticket races. He doesn’t expect his endorsement to sway the outcome in Texas directly, but he does believe it could influence voters nationwide.

In explaining his decision, Whitley criticized both Donald Trump and Ted Cruz. He labeled Trump a bully who disrespected the military and veterans and cited Trump’s role in the January 6 Capitol riots. Whitley also pointed to Cruz’s controversial trip to Cancun during Texas’ severe winter storm in 2021, as well as his actions during the January 6 insurrection, as reasons for withdrawing support.

Whitley’s support is not solely anti-Trump; oddly enough, he also praised the leadership style and policies of Kamala Harris. He noted that Harris has approached policy issues with an open mind, referencing her evolving stance on fracking as an example of pragmatism.

“I believe she was against it for environmental reasons in 2019, but she’s shown she can adapt while still pushing for cleaner air,” Whitley said.

Ted Cruz’s Reaction To The Betrayal

In response to Whitley’s endorsement, Cruz remained unfazed, countering at a campaign event in Tarrant County by highlighting his own cross-party support. He mentioned Houston District Attorney Kim Ogg, a Democrat who has endorsed Cruz over Allred, citing her preference for a senator “who will stand up and support law enforcement, who will lock up violent criminals and keep them in jail and who will secure the border.”

Cruz shrugged off Whitley’s criticism, framing it as part of a broader anti-Trump sentiment among some former Republicans.

“We saw Liz Cheney come out and say she’s voting for Kamala Harris. And I will say there are a handful of people for whom Trump derangement syndrome is a real thing,” Cruz said.

The battle for the Texas Senate seat has attracted significant financial backing. Democrats have already poured $49.4 million into the race, with most of the funding coming from Allred’s campaign.

In contrast, Republicans have spent nearly $22.3 million. The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee recently announced a multimillion-dollar ad buy to boost Allred’s chances, signaling that Texas could become a more prominent battleground as Election Day approaches.

Stay tuned to The Federlist Wire.