GOP Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas is headed back to Washington after he turned back a challenge from Democratic Rep. Colin Allred, NBC News projects. Cruz was expected to win a third term in the deep-red state, but the race tightened in recent weeks, drawing ...

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.

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,