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.

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.

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,

Cruz polled at 53.15% to Allred’s 44.46%, following one of the most-expensive congressional contests in Texas history.

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.

The Fox News Decision Desk projected that incumbent Texas Sen. Ted Cruz would defeat his Democrat opponent Rep. Colin Allred Tuesday, winning a third term in the U.S. Senate.