Such was the case with the marquee Senate race between Republican incumbent Ted Cruz and U.S. Rep. Colin Allred. Allred’s nearly 9-point loss to Cruz was disappointing for Democrats hoping the Dallas congressman would give the party its first statewide win in 30 years.

Cruz, 53, fought back, seeking in the final weeks of the campaign to paint Allred as wanting to allow boys to play in girls sports. He also tied Allred, 43, to Vice President Kamala Harris, who was expected to lose the presidential vote in the state, calling the two Democrats “dos liberales,” or, “two liberals” in Spanish-language advertising.

Ted Cruz has won another term in the US Senate after defeating his Democratic challenger. Cruz defeated Dallas Congressman Colin Allred by 8 percentage points, a much wider margin than during his reelection bid six years ago.

Texas voters on both sides of the political spectrum had strong opinions about Sen. Ted Cruz’s decisive victory over Colin Allred on Tuesday. Statewide, Cruz led Allred, 54% to 44%. In Dallas County and Tarrant County,

Incumbent Republican Sen. Ted Cruz and Democratic challenger Colin Allred's Senate race is among the most closely watched this election cycle.

The Texas Senate race between incumbent Republican Sen. Ted Cruz and Democratic Rep. Colin Allred could decide who controls the Senate.

Republican Sen. Ted Cruz and Democratic Rep. Colin Allred are making their final pitches to Texas voters at campaign stops across the state as Election Day nears.

Texas Sen. Ted Cruz will win reelection to a third term, CNN projects, defeating Democratic challenger Rep. Colin Allred and denying Democrats one of their best chances to mitigate potential losses elsewhere.

Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) won reelection to his Texas Senate seat in a closely watched race against Rep. Colin Allred (D-TX), a boost for Republicans’ quest for control of the upper chamber.