For Democrats, Texas statewide elections are like the start of a campy horror film. You know the character walking in the woods is about to get it. Even so, you continue to watch, ready to scream. Such was the case with the marquee Senate race between Republican incumbent Ted Cruz and U.

U.S. Rep. Colin Allred, a former NFL linebacker and civil rights lawyer from Dallas, repeatedly broke fundraising records in his campaign, raising more than $80 million by mid-October.

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.

U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz defeated Democratic U.S. Rep. Colin Allred Tuesday night in what was one of the nation's most closely watched and expensive senate races. Cruz, who will now serve his third term in the U.

In the second Allred commercial we've fact-checked, the former football player defends himself. We’re committed to providing you with the election coverage you need as you cast your vote. We’re aiming to raise $2,500. If you value journalism like ours that strengthens democracy and holds our leaders accountable, please make a contribution today.

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,