John, my favorite food growing up was packaged ramen noodles.

Why’s that you might ask? Well, for one they are quick, tasty, and go especially well with a ton of hot sauce. But the truth is it's because I was raised by a single mom who was a public school teacher and ramen was an affordable option for our budget.

I'm telling you this because, like so many hardworking Texans, my mom did the best she could to provide for our family and always taught me to follow our shared Texas values even when times were tough.

I got into politics because I know firsthand that the majority of Texans are good, honest people who need a government that's set up to help them chase their American dream – not kick them when they're down.

This is something Ted Cruz refuses to understand, and that's why I'm running against him, but I need your help to defeat him in this highly competitive race. Will you chip in $5 to help me win in Texas? →

Ted Cruz's career has been funded by special interests and GOP millionaires, and he's spent his 10 years in the Senate working for them. When he looks at working Texans, he asks, "What can they do for me?" when it should be the other way around.

A lot of the policies I'm fighting for now – affordable childcare, universal pre-k, more support and opportunities for our kids – are informed by the tough choices I watched my mom make while I was growing up.

Texans deserve a Senator who knows what it's like to come home from work exhausted, to sacrifice for your family, to try making a dollar out of 15 cents. Texans deserve better than Ted Cruz.

I'm running to defeat Ted Cruz and give Texans the leadership we deserve – but unlike Ted, I don't have ultra rich extremists and special interests backing my campaign. That's why I'm asking you, John: Will you chip in $5 to power this grassroots movement forward? Every dollar brings us one step closer to reaching the voters we need to send Ted Cruz packing. →

Thanks for being a part of this team,

– Colin Allred