Ted Cruz wins third term in Senate, defeating Democrat Colin Allred in Texas

Texas Republican Sen. Ted Cruz was re-elected on Tuesday, defeating U.S. Rep. Colin Allred in this upstart state that had become the focus of the 2024 election over immigration and abortion.

This result represents a setback for Texas Democrats, who have now gone three decades without a statewide victory – the longest losing streak of any party in the country.

Senator Ted Cruz, 53, secured a third term in office after a risky and costly re-election campaign, a stark contrast to his thrilling victory over Beto O'Rourke six years ago. This time, Cruz appealed to his party to take his race seriously and shifted his image among Texas voters by portraying himself as a pragmatic lawmaker focused on getting things done — an attempt to move away from his previous reputation as an uncompromising firebrand with ambitions beyond Texas.

How did Cruz achieve his victory in Texas?

Although votes were still being counted early Wednesday, Cruz held a comfortable lead over challenger Colin Allred and appeared to have a nearly double-digit lead – an impressive jump from his narrow victory over Beto O'Rourke by less than three percentage points six years ago. Cruz's victory not only secured his seat, but also helped Republicans regain control of the U.S. Senate for the first time in four years.

Cruz addressed his supporters at his watch party in Houston on Tuesday night, first by listening to the song “Eye of the Tiger.”

“I want to say to everyone who didn’t support me: you have my word, I will fight for you, your jobs, your safety and for your constitutional rights,” he said.

Cruz Law and Order Agenda for Texas

During the campaign, Cruz emphasized a strong stance on law and order. In a remarkable moment, he appeared on stage flanked by Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg, a prominent Democrat and chief prosecutor of Texas' largest county.

Colin Allred, a former NFL linebacker, wanted to become Texas' first black senator through a moderate campaign. He maintained a measured distance from Vice President Kamala Harris and progressives, instead emphasizing support from Republicans like former Rep. Liz Cheney. Allred positioned himself as a staunch supporter of abortion rights in a state known for its strict bans.

What is Allred's message to Cruz?

In his concession speech at his watch party in Dallas, Allred said he called Cruz and congratulated him on his victory.

“It shouldn’t be anything special to have to admit defeat,” he said. “You can’t just be a patriot when your team wins. We didn’t win tonight, but we will continue to be patriots.”

Colin Allred's campaign faced early criticism from some Democrats who were unhappy with his strategy. They expressed frustration with his decision to forego planning numerous large rallies and his limited investments in smaller regions of Texas, including cities along the Texas-Mexico border.

However, Cruz performed significantly better against Allred than he had against O'Rourke six years earlier, showing particular strength in predominantly Hispanic counties along the U.S.-Mexico border.

What led to Cruz's victory in Texas?

Findings from the AP VoteCast poll, which included more than 4,500 Texas voters, showed that the economy and jobs are the top concerns for Texas voters, with 40 percent calling it the biggest issue in the country. Immigration was cited as the most pressing issue by 20 percent of voters, while 10 percent cited abortion as their top concern.

Cruz, a former presidential candidate in 2016, first joined the Senate after serving as Texas attorney general. In 2020, he expanded his reach with a popular podcast: Verdictwhere he expressed strong support for then-President Donald Trump during his impeachment, cementing his influence in conservative circles.

This article contains reporting from The Associated Press