GOP Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas is returning to Washington after turning down a challenge from Democratic Rep. Colin Allred, NBC News projects.

Cruz had been expected to win a third term in the deep-red state, but the race has gotten tighter in recent weeks, drawing national attention and scrutiny when Allred, a prolific fundraiser, spent millions of dollars on TV and digital ads in her support of Cruz. The state’s six-week abortion ban.

But the senator kept the gap among women to a narrow margin, according to an NBC News exit poll: 47% of female voters voted for Cruz this year, compared to 51% who voted for Allred.

Cruz was boosted by gains among Latino voters in the Lone Star state, according to NBC News exit polls.

Fifty-two percent of Hispanic and Latino voters in the state said they voted for Cruz, compared to just 35% of Hispanic and Latino voters who voted for the senator. in 2018According to an NBC News exit poll.

In addition to focusing on abortion, Allred’s campaign also highlighted Cruz’s campaigns. Vacation to Cancun in 2021 in the midst of a statewide energy crisis due to a severe winter storm.

Cruz, 53, responded by fighting back in the final weeks of the campaign painting Allred He wants to allow boys to play girls’ sports. It also linked Allred, 43, to Vice President Kamala Harris, who is expected to lose the state’s presidential election. Calls two Democrats “dos liberals” or “two liberals” in Spanish advertising.

In the end, Allred’s campaign spent more than $50 million on ads in the race between Labor Day and Election Day, according to AdImpact. Cruz’s campaign spent $26 million during this period; An additional $23 million was spent by the Truth and Courage PAC, a group that supports Cruz.

In the final weeks of the race, Cruz also complained about a lack of support from the GOP leadership. Especially, he lamented He said the Senate Leadership Fund, a super PAC aligned with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, has not spent any money supporting him or supporting Allred.

Ultimately, Allred’s bipartisan message and appeal to voters concerned about abortion rights were not enough. Electing a Democrat as senator in such a red state is a long shot, Republican strategist Matthew Bartlett said in an interview ahead of Election Day. And Cruz’s party membership was perhaps his most valuable asset.

“He’s a Republican in a Republican state, short and sweet. That’s a winner,” Bartlett said. “Texas will go for Trump over Harris, and it is nearly impossible for a Democrat in Texas to perform at the top of the ticket.”