If RFK Jr. Make Texas Ballot Could Have Huge Implications for Ted Cruz

Robert Kennedy Jr. is running for President. It isn’t certain yet if he will meet the requirements to appear on the ballots in every state, including Texas. Whether or not he does could have major implications about another race: the one for the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Ted Cruz.

Let’s set aside for a moment the effect RFK Jr. might have on the presidential race. The speculation on that one seems to be all over the map, with some saying he would take votes from Biden, some saying from Trump and others saying from both candidates equally. It doesn’t seem like anyone really knows for sure.

But Robert Kennedy Jr. being on the Texas ballot could really skew AGAINST Ted Cruz, according to the Austin Statesman-Journal.

Getting a third party candidate on the Texas ballot is very, very difficult. More so in Texas than most states.

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According to the Texas secretary of state’s office, an independent or third party candidate must collect 113,151 signatures from residents of the state who DID NOT CAST A VOTE IN THE PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY FOR EITHER PARTY.  That’s an enormous hurdle, but let’s assume Kennedy can get the signatures.

Polling shows that RFK Jr. supporters might jump any of three ways if he doesn’t get on the ballot in Texas: some will vote for Trump, some for Biden and many might write in a protest candidate or skip the election altogether.  So, the effect on the presidential election is a conundrum that nobody really seems to know the answer to.

BUT…polling shows that a significant number of RFK supporters in Texas OVERWHELMINGLY support Colin Allred in his senate race against Ted Cruz. Allred is the democrat US Representative for Texas district 32 and a former NFL linebacker for the Tennessee Titans. Cruz has a double digit lead on Allred now, but that could change depending on RFK Jr. being on the ballot or not.

If Kennedy doesn’t make it onto the Texas ballot, at least some of his most fervent supporters will choose not to vote. Which favors Cruz. But, if Kennedy IS on the ballot, his most ardent supporters will DEFINITELY vote, which could be a bump for Allred.

Will RFK Jr. scavenge enough signatures? Will the Allred supporters in the RFK camp be enough to make up the difference versus Cruz? With only six months to go, these questions all remain uncertain.