The Cook Political Report on Tuesday shifted its forecast for the Texas U.S. Senate contest in Democrats' favor.

Rep. Colin Allred (D-Texas) has been gaining in the polls on incumbent Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), prompting the nonpartisan political handicapper to rate the race as "lean" Republican rather than a "likely" GOP win.

The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee recently announced big advertising campaigns in Texas in Florida to boost their chances of keeping the Senate. And the fact that Cruz fled the state for Cancun during a winter storm in 2021 is hurting his reelection bid.

"Lone Star state still remains tough for a Democrat, but Allred's fundraising/heavy ad spending, plus Cruz on defense on abortion + Cancun has tightened contest," Cook Political Report's Jessica Taylor said on social media.