Can I be really honest with you, friend?

My team and I set a big goal: to raise $500,000 by Thursday's mid-month deadline. I want to take a moment to explain why, but if you're already feeling fired up and ready to defeat Ted Cruz, please click here to chip in.

This ambitious goal isn't one we came to lightly.

We took a close look at our finances and what we know about Ted Cruz's. He's raised more than any other GOP Senate candidate in the country, and he currently has over $12 million in the bank.

Corporate PACs and GOP mega donors are funneling money into his campaign, and reaching this goal is our best chance to keep up. Can I count on you to give $5 or more?

I don't want you to think this means we're in bad shape. The truth is that we're closer than ever to defeating Ted Cruz. Three polls show us statistically tied, and Cruz is widely considered the most vulnerable GOP Senator in the country.

I'm meeting more and more fired-up Texans every day who are ready to send him packing, and I'm more confident than ever that we can do it IF we can keep reaching enough voters. We set this ambitious goal to make sure we have the resources to get over the finish line, and I'm counting on your grassroots support to help us get there.

So please, friend, will you donate $5, $25, or anything you can spare today to help me be Texas' next U.S. Senator and defeat Ted Cruz? I promise to be the leader we need and deserve in the Senate, but I simply can't get there without your help.

Thanks for being a part of my grassroots team – it means the world.