In one of the closest and most expensive Senate races Texas has ever seen, Senator Ted Cruz narrowly defeated anti-gun Democrat Colin Allred, securing his third term and preserving a key seat for Republicans.
The race was a national spectacle, with both candidates raising over $160 million combined, setting new records and making it the costliest Senate race of 2024.
Allred, a former NFL linebacker and civil rights lawyer, gave Cruz one of the toughest challenges of his political career, fueled by massive donations and heavy support from anti-gun groups like Giffords. He raised over $80 million, breaking multiple fundraising records, and blanketed Texas with ads promising “commonsense” gun control and a “safer future.” For months, polls showed the candidates neck and neck, with Allred even leading Cruz by a point in a September poll, making Democrats hopeful for an upset in Texas.
Despite the close race, Cruz’s campaign held strong, capitalizing on his reputation as a seasoned conservative and a staunch defender of Texans’ gun rights.
He kept his base energized by framing the race as a choice between “freedom and restriction,” calling out Allred’s anti-gun stances and connections with national Democrat leaders who he argued don’t understand Texas values. Cruz thanked Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer for spending millions to back Allred, adding with a grin:
“Thank you, Chuck. I hope we win a few more Senate seats because you wasted so much money in Texas.”
On Election Day, Cruz managed to pull ahead, winning by about a million votes statewide, but the numbers were tight in major metro areas. Allred carried Dallas and Tarrant counties, cutting deeply into Cruz’s support in North Texas, but Cruz maintained a solid lead in Collin and Denton counties, giving him the edge he needed to win.
The battle wasn’t just about dollars—it was about clashing visions for Texas and the future of gun rights.
Allred’s campaign, heavily funded by out-of-state donors and anti-gun groups, sought to reframe the Second Amendment debate in Texas. However, Cruz’s consistent message on protecting Texans’ constitutional rights ultimately prevailed, reminding voters of his track record and his promise to “keep Texas, Texas.”
Cruz’s narrow victory not only keeps him in the Senate but also sends a powerful message: Texans won’t back down on their gun rights or their conservative values, even in the face of record-breaking spending and a close fight.
