Republican Ted Cruz has won his third consecutive term as U.S. senator from Texas after a stiff challenge from a former NFL star.
The veteran lawmaker and former presidential candidate defeated Democratic challenger Colin Allred 54 percent to 43 percent, the Associated Press predicted.
“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 placed the two political enemies within one point of each other, with Allred taking the lead just a few weeks ago.
Due to changing demographics and a booming population of expats from liberal California and the like, Cruz’s race was close.
Trump still comfortably won the state of Texas and received almost 55% of the vote when the Associated Press made the race call.
Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, and Democratic opponent, Rep. Colin Allred, D-Texas
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The Republican also sent his best wishes to Democratic Senate Leader Chuck Schumer in an election night zinger.
“I want to thank you, Chuck,” he said. “And I hope we win a few more seats in the Senate tonight, because you wasted so much money in Texas.”
The Republican Party of Texas celebrated Cruz’s victory in a statement: ‘Texans voted to keep Texas, Texas’
“Senator Ted Cruz returns to DC for a third term to represent the values of Texas. The Republican Party of Texas is proud to stand with its grassroots, volunteers and donors in support of Ted Cruz. Together we will continue to defend Texas and save America!”
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Allred, 41, a former civil rights attorney and three-term congressman from Dallas, was within some people’s margin of error polls with Cruz ahead of Election Day.
Republicans were nervous about the race.
Democrats have seen Texas as a Republican seat that could be vulnerable.
And Allred has repeatedly hit the Republican on his abortion agenda. The towering former Tennessee Titan had delivered effective strikes against Cruz.
Texas, a Republican-controlled state with stricter abortion laws than most places, has been under scrutiny since Roe v. Wade was overturned in the summer of 2022.
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Ted Cruz speaks at a campaign rally for a bus tour. Cruz held a 2-point lead with a week to go against Democratic Senate candidate Colin Allred
Texas Democratic Senate candidate Colin Allred responds to a campaign rally of Democratic presidential candidate U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris with singer Beyonce in Houston, Texas, U.S., October 25, 2024
Allred with Beyonce after an event for Kamala Harris
But Republican Cruz’s message that Democrats are responsible for immigration and economic problems – the two most important issues in Texas – appears to have sealed his re-election.
Six years ago, it looked like Democrat Beto O’Rourke was on his way to an upset, only to be defeated by 2.5 points.
The funding for the race was enormous.
Allred has raised $80 million during the election cycle as of Oct. 16 to Cruz’s $86 million, Federal Election Commission records show.
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Linebacker Colin Allred #56 of the Tennessee Titans goes to play against the Atlanta Falcons at the Georgia Dome on August 22, 2008 in Atlanta, Georgia
Cruz’s campaign ran 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.
Texas Republican Governor Greg Abbott celebrated Cruz’s victory over X: “Congratulations Senator [Cruz] here’s to your great victory!’
“Senator Cruz will continue to defend Texas values of freedom, liberty and prosperity in the U.S. Senate. By working together, we will keep Texas, Texas.”