As Republicans celebrated major victories at both the national and state levels, mirroring former President Donald Trump’s resounding success in the presidential election, Texas stood out as a key battleground. Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) secured a decisive win against Democratic challenger Collin Allred, while the GOP further solidified its control over the Texas House of Representatives.
Allred’s failure to unseat Cruz marked the third consecutive defeat for Democratic challengers in Texas, signaling the ongoing failure of the “Turn Texas Blue” movement. Cruz won with a comfortable margin, reportedly defeating Allred by 9 points, securing over 53% of the vote compared to Allred’s 44%. Despite Allred’s $78 million investment in the race, his performance fell short of Sen. Robert “Beto” O’Rourke’s near-miss in 2018, where Cruz won by just 2.6 points.
National Republican Senatorial Committee Chair Steve Daines (R-Mont.) highlighted the extensive support Democrats poured into the race from across the country, calling Cruz’s victory a testament to his deep understanding of Texas. “No matter what gets thrown at him, Ted knows Texas and knows what it takes to win,” Daines said.
Cruz, in his victory speech, took aim at the Democrat establishment, stating that his decisive win should “shake the Democrat establishment to its core.” He also addressed Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, saying, “I want to say thank you, Chuck,” referring to the flipped Senate seats. Cruz had previously expressed concerns about the large influx of funding into the state, particularly from Schumer and liberal groups like George Soros.
Governor Greg Abbott also praised Cruz’s victory, noting on X that every candidate he backed in the Texas House races won. Abbott highlighted the increased Republican presence, noting that new Republican victories in traditionally Democrat-held seats made passing school choice legislation in Texas more feasible.
The shift in Texas, seen by many as a significant political realignment favoring Republicans, was met with disappointment from some Democrats and the media. On ABC’s “The View,” co-host Whoopi Goldberg struggled to find a positive spin on Vice President Kamala Harris’ massive defeat, which defied expectations and polling predictions. Goldberg remarked, “She was everywhere. She talked to everybody, and people didn’t come out. I don’t know why and it doesn’t even matter.”
In the midst of this political turmoil, the Trump family shared a heartfelt moment just before the election, a reminder of the emotional stakes at play in this pivotal election.