Republican Ted Cruz won a third consecutive term as a U.S. senator from Texas after a stiff challenge from a former NFL star.
The veteran lawmaker and former presidential candidate defeated Democratic rival Rep. Colin Allred 54 percent to 43 percent, the Associated Press projected.
“Tonight’s results, this decisive victory, should shake the Democratic establishment to its core,” Cruz said during a speech to supporters at his watch party in downtown Houston.
The Senate race in the Lone Star State was uncomfortably close for Republicans who have controlled the state for decades.
Recent polls had put the two political foes within a single point of each other, with Allred taking the lead just a few weeks ago.
Due to demographic changes and a growing population with expats from liberal California and the like, the race was very close for Cruz.
Trump still handily won the state of Texas, taking nearly 55% of the vote when the Associated Press made the election call.
Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, and his Democratic opponent, Rep. Colin Allred, D-Texas.
The Republican also sent his best wishes to Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer in a comment on election night.
“I want to say thank you, Chuck,” he said. “And I hope we win a few more seats in the Senate tonight because you guys wasted a lot of money in Texas.”
The Texas Republican Party celebrated Cruz’s victory in a statement: ‘Texans have voted to keep Texas, Texas.’
‘Senator Ted Cruz will return to DC for a third term to represent Texas values. The Texas Republican Party is proud to fight alongside grassroots, volunteers and donors in support of Ted Cruz. Together we will continue to defend Texas and save America!’
Allred, 41, a former civil rights attorney and three-term Dallas congressman, was within the margin of error of some center with Cruz before Election Day.
Republicans were nervous about the race.
Democrats have been eyeing Texas as a Republican seat that could be vulnerable.
And Allred has repeatedly criticized the Republican for his pro-abortion agenda. The imposing former Tennessee Titan had achieved effective attacks against Cruz.
Texas, a Republican-controlled state with stricter abortion laws than most places, has come under scrutiny since Roe v. Wade was overturned. Wade in the summer of 2022.
Ted Cruz speaks during a campaign rally on a bus tour. Cruz had a 2-point lead with a week left against Democratic Senate candidate Rep. Colin Allred.
Texas Democratic Senate candidate Colin Allred reacts at a campaign rally for Democratic presidential candidate US Vice President Kamala Harris with singer Beyonce in Houston, Texas, US, on October 25, 2024 .
Allred with Beyoncé after a Kamala Harris event
But Republican Cruz’s message that Democrats are to blame for immigration and economic problems – the two main issues in Texas – appears to have sealed his re-election.
Six years ago, Democrat Beto O’Rourke seemed poised to pull off an upset, but was defeated by 2.5 points.
The funding for the race was amazing.
Allred raised $80 million to Cruz’s $86 million during the election cycle through Oct. 16, Federal Election Commission records show.
Linebacker Colin Allred #56 of the Tennessee Titans prepares to play against the Atlanta Falcons at the Georgia Dome on August 22, 2008 in Atlanta, Georgia
Cruz’s campaign was developed with the slogan ‘Keep Texas Texas’
The combined total of $166 million makes it the most expensive U.S. Senate race in Texas history.
A Democrat has not held statewide office in Texas in 30 years.
Republican Texas Governor Greg Abbott celebrated Cruz’s victory by posting on X: ‘Congratulations Senator (Cruz) on your great victory!’
‘Senator Cruz will continue to defend Texas’ values of freedom, liberty and prosperity in the United States Senate. Working together, we will keep Texas, Texas.”