We did it, John: I officially became the Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate in Texas!

I am so grateful to my fellow Texas voters and grassroots supporters like you for entrusting me with this honor – I will not let you down.

I'm ready to outwork Ted Cruz to win this thing because the stakes of this election are too high not to. From voting rights to abortion, our freedoms are under attack. Everyday costs are still too high. Simply put: Texans cannot afford six more years of Ted Cruz.

That’s why this campaign is so important. Two recent polls showed us tied with Cruz, and I know we can win this race – but I need you with me to do it. So I have to ask, John: Will you donate $5 or $10 right now to help me and Fight for Progress keep up tonight's momentum all the way through Election Day? Every dollar helps as we work to build the massive grassroots movement it'll take to fire Ted Cruz. →

The real race begins right now, John, and it's going to be a tough fight. But don't worry – I've been an underdog my whole life. I know what it takes to beat the odds and win a tough fight.

I'm a 4th generation Texan, born and raised in Dallas by a single mom who sometimes worked two jobs to make ends meet. I never knew my dad but thanks to my community of teachers, coaches and counselors at the YMCA, who helped my mom, aunt and uncle raise me, I had the opportunity to chase my version of the American Dream.

Without them, I never would've made it to the NFL, gone to law school, become a civil rights lawyer, served in the Obama Administration, or run against a 22-year GOP incumbent and won, becoming the first Democrat to ever represent TX-32 in Congress.

And thanks to them, I am where I am today: the official Democratic nominee who has the chance to become Texas’ first Black Senator. The chance to finally defeat Ted Cruz and give Texans the committed leadership we deserve.

With experts calling Ted Cruz the most vulnerable GOP senator in the country and two polls showing us TIED, the only thing that could hold us back is resources.

It’s true that everything is bigger in Texas, and this campaign is no exception. It’s going to take the biggest grassroots movement Texas has ever seen to beat Ted Cruz. Ted Cruz already has more than $6.5 million in the bank to attack me with, so please:

Will you chip in $5, $10, or any amount to me and Fight for Progress before midnight tonight to make sure I have the resources to fight back against Ted Cruz's attacks, reach voters across Texas, and win? Your support would mean so much as we work to give Texans the leadership we need and deserve. →

Thank you so much for being a part of this team. Let's do this.

Colin