AUSTIN, Texas — U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz appears to have won a third term as senator from Texas in his race against U.S. Rep Colin Allred on Tuesday.
The race was one of the most expensive and closely watched in history with the candidates raising more than $160 million combined.
Allred would have been Texas' first Black senator as the state has not elected a Democrat to the Senate since 1988.
What did Colin Allred say in his concession speech?
Despite a delay in calling the race, the Associated Press declared Cruz the winner just before midnight, blocking a path where Democrats might have retained control of the Senate.
"You can't just be a patriot when your side wins," Allred said in Dallas. "We didn't win, but we will continue to be patriots."
Allred also thanked Amanda Zurawski, Kate Cox, Lauren Miller, Dr. Austin Denard and Taylor Edwards for sharing their stories about the abortion ban in Texas.
"There are so many brave Texas women who've told their stories ... I will never forget them and we will never stop fighting to overturn this abortion ban here in Texas. It took courage for these Texas women to come forward and talk about the most difficult moment of their lives in front of thousands of people."
According to the Associated Press, Allred slightly outspent Cruz for the cycle but Cruz entered the final stretch with a more than $7 million cash advantage.
"It's going to require patriots like all of you and people all across our state and our country to stay engaged," Allred said. "Every generation of Americans is responsible for keeping it going for another generation. We are not going to be the ones who drop the baton ... Remember who we are. Don't ever lose sight of it."