Friend, I was raised by a single mom, and I never knew my father.

I played in the NFL and went on to serve in the administration of our nation's first Black president.

I was elected to Congress, in the district where I was born and raised, and now have the chance to run for Senate and become my state's first Black Senator.

I know my story is only possible in this country and that my path says more about my community and Texas than it does about me because I relied on the folks around me every step of the way. I relied on my public schools. I relied on my teachers, my coaches, and my neighborhood YMCA.

Now, I'm relying on supporters like you to help me make it to the U.S. Senate. If you have a few dollars to spare today, I'd really appreciate it. →

I'm running against Ted Cruz because I know who we are as Texans, and I believe we're better than his divisive partisanship. I'm a fourth-generation Texan. My family's from Brownsville. I grew up in Dallas and am proud to be raising my boys here with my wife Aly; I went to school in Waco and trained for the NFL draft in Houston. I'm proud to represent North Texas in the House, and I'm especially proud that I'm the most bipartisan member of the Texas delegation.

Because when you're raised by a single mom, you don't have time to argue about theoretical ideas that aren't going to become law. You have to actually get things done. I know that single mom is sitting out there hoping her legislators are working as hard as she is. And I'm determined to be the leader she deserves. 

Ted Cruz, on the other hand, is out there starting culture wars instead of fighting for what working families need: better wages, affordable health care, and investments in Texas. He's attacking voting rights and reproductive freedom instead of advocating for reliable child care and for our kids to be safe in their schools. He's abandoning us when we need him most.

If you're as ready as I am to fire Ted Cruz and bring real leadership to Texas, I need you to chip in $5 or more to my campaign today. We're closer than ever to sending him packing – the latest poll shows us tied at 41% each – but it's going to take a Texas-sized outpouring of grassroots support to get it done. Can I count on you to be a part of it? →

Every dollar makes a difference in a battleground race like this one. Thank you so much for your support. Let's do this.

– Colin