- Ted Cruz won reelection to the U.S. Senate in Texas, defeating Democratic challenger Colin Allred
- Cruz’s victory extends the Republican Party’s 30-year winning streak in statewide elections in Texas
- With 68% of votes counted, Cruz led Allred by around 9 percentage points according to unofficial results
Senator Ted Cruz won his reelection bid, holding off a challenge from former NFL linebacker Colin Allred. Cruz’s victory continues the Republican party’s 30-year winning streak in statewide Texas elections.
Background on Ted Cruz
Cruz has represented Texas in the Senate since 2013. In 2018, he defeated Democrat Beto O’Rourke by over 200,000 votes. This year, Cruz faced a tough challenge from Allred but still prevailed by around 9 percentage points.
Details on Allred’s Background
Allred is a former NFL player who was elected to the House of Representatives in 2018. As a congressman, Allred represented a Dallas-area district and developed a moderate profile. He hoped to parlay his athletic and political backgrounds into an upset Senate victory over Cruz.
Analysis of Cruz’s Win
Ultimately, Cruz’s name recognition and Republican Party allegiance proved too much for Allred to overcome in deeply red Texas. The state has not elected a Democrat to statewide office since 1994. Cruz’s victory shows the enduring strength of the GOP in Texas despite changing demographics.
Conclusion
Cruz’s hard-fought reelection cements 6 more years in the Senate for the conservative firebrand. He overcame his opponent’s athletic charisma and moderate politics by relying on the Republican Party’s dominance in Texas. Cruz’s win demonstrates the difficulty Democrats still face in breaking the GOP’s hold on Texas’ statewide offices.
