Senator Ted Cruz wins reelection, overcoming challenge from Democrat Colin Allred

GOP Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas is heading back to Washington after facing a challenge from Democratic Rep. Colin Allred, NBC News projects, declined.

Cruz was expected to win a third term in the deep-red state, but the race tightened in recent weeks, drawing national attention and criticism as Allred, a prolific fundraiser, spent millions of dollars on TV and digital ads to criticize Cruz for his support for the state. the state’s six-week abortion ban.

But the senator kept his deficit among women within a narrow margin, according to NBC News’ exit poll: 47% of female voters cast their ballots for Cruz this year, compared to 51% who voted for Allred.

Cruz was boosted by the gains he made among Latino voters in the Lone Star State, according to NBC News exit polls.

Fifty-two percent of the state’s Hispanic and Latino voters said they voted for Cruz, compared to the only 35% of Hispanic and Latino voters who voted for the senator in 2018This is evident from the NBC News exit poll.

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In addition to its focus on abortion, Allred’s campaign also kept Cruz’s in the spotlight vacation to Cancun in 2021 amid a statewide energy crisis due to a major winter storm.

Cruz, 53, fought back and canvassed in the final weeks of the campaign to paint Allred because we want boys to participate in girls’ sports. He also tied Allred, 43, to Vice President Kamala Harris, who was expected to lose the state’s presidential election. called the two Democrats ‘dos ​​liberals’, or “two liberals” in Spanish-language ads.

According to AdImpact, Allred’s campaign ultimately spent more than $50 million on ads in the race, right between Labor Day and Election Day. Cruz’s campaign spent $26 million during that time, with another $23 million spent by the Truth and Courage PAC, a group that supports Cruz.

In the final weeks of the race, Cruz also complained that he was not receiving support from GOP leadership. Specifically, he complained that the Senate Leadership Fund, a super PAC affiliated with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, did not spend any money to boost him or tank Allred.

Ultimately, Allred’s bipartisan message and appeal to voters concerned about abortion rights were not enough. Matthew Bartlett, a Republican strategist, said in an interview before Election Day that electing a Democrat as senator in such a red state is a gamble. And Cruz’s party membership was perhaps his most valuable asset.

“He’s a Republican in a Republican state, short and sweet. That’s what wins,” Bartlett said. “Texas will choose Trump over Harris, and it is nearly impossible for a Texas Democrat to outperform the top.”