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. Ted Cruz celebrates at his watch party in downtown Houston on Election Day.

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.  Multiple outlets called the race for Cruz within a couple hours of polls closing in Texas.

Republican Texas Sen. Ted Cruz has won re-election over his opponent, Democratic Rep. Colin Allred, CNN and NBC News have reported. The two-term GOP senator was expected to win a third, although polling had tightened in the days leading up to the election—suggesting that Allred,