Matthew Dowd, a former George W. Bush strategist, is considering an independent challenge to Sen. Ted Cruz, the Texas Tribune reports.
"I don't know what I will do, but I am giving it some thought, and I appreciate the interest of folks," the former Bush aide and Austin, Texas-based TV news commentator told the Tribune.
Dowd told the Tribune that members of both parties have approached him about a run against Cruz, whose rising star in Texas dimmed after his primary loss to Donald Trump and subsequent refusal to endorse him at the Republican National Convention.
"I don't think Ted served the state well at all," he told the Tribune. "He hasn't been interested in being a U.S. senator from Texas. He's been interested in national office since the day he got in."
Earlier Thursday, Cruz in a radio interview on "The Hugh Hewitt Show" seemed confident about his re-election.
"At this point, I don't see anyone that is likely to run, but I'm going to assume that the threat is serious and prepare accordingly," he told Hewitt.
But Dowd told the Tribune that Cruz might be "vulnerable" to an independent challenge.
"I don't think Ted's vulnerable in the Republican primary, and I don't think Ted is vulnerable to a Democrat in the general," he said. "I think a Democrat can't win in the state."
Dowd was optimistic that voters "frustrated" with Cruz could fuel an independent bid.
"I actually believe money is less important now today than it's ever been," he said. "It's going to take money and a lot of grassroots money, and it's going to take people frustrated at Washington and frustrated about Ted."
"I would caucus with neither party," he added about his allegiance if he was elected. "I think the system is broken."
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