The Texas Senate race between Sen. Ted Cruz (R) and Rep. Colin Allred (D) is edging closer, according to a new analysis by the national Cook Political Report. Why it matters: Democrats are banking on a Hail Mary win in Texas to keep the Senate majority if Sen.

Things aren’t looking good for notorious Republican Party hardliner-in-a-hardline-state Ted Cruz’s re-election hopes.The Cook Political Report has just updated its assessment of the Texas Senate race from “likely Republican” to “lean Republican” amid what appear to be significant signs of momentum behind Democrat Colin Allred’s campaign.

A nonpartisan election handicapper updated the rating for the Texas Senate race on Thursday, shifting the state toward Democrats after the Senate Democratic campaign arm announced a multi-million dollar investment in the state last week.