John: I'm a fourth-generation Texan who was raised in Dallas by a single mom. My mother taught in public schools and sometimes even worked an extra job to get by.

Thanks to her, my teachers and coaches, and the good folks at our local YMCA, I went on to play football for Baylor and in the NFL before becoming a civil rights lawyer. Then I ran for Congress to serve the community that raised me.

I'm running for Senate because I don't want my story to be the exception. I want all kids, no matter where they're from or what they're facing, to have what they need to achieve their dreams. Will you chip in -- split with Southern Progress -- to help me defeat Ted Cruz and give Texas families the senator we deserve? →

My very first vote in Congress was to expand the Affordable Care Act and make health care more accessible for all Americans. Ted Cruz once spent 21 hours speaking out against the ACA on the Senate floor.

Last year, I was proud to be a part of passing a historic infrastructure bill that will bring $35 billion to Texas over the next five years. I also helped pass the CHIPS and Science Act, which is bringing high-tech manufacturing to our state. Ted Cruz voted against both of these bipartisan bills.

Ted Cruz would rather deny Texans vital investments we need than reach across the aisle. He's one of the most divisive legislators in Congress and has spent his whole career pitting people against each other. I have a very different record of bringing people together – in fact, I was just named the most bipartisan member of the Texas delegation.

That's the kind of leader I'll be in the Senate, and if you agree Texans deserve better than Ted Cruz's selfish extremism, I hope you'll chip in on my campaign today. We need to raise $45,000 a day to compete with Cruz and his special interest allies, so please: Split a donation between me and Southern Progress before midnight to help me fire Ted Cruz →

- Colin