Cruz, 53, fought back, seeking in the final weeks of the campaign to paint Allred as wanting to allow boys to play in girls sports. He also tied Allred, 43, to Vice President Kamala Harris, who was expected to lose the presidential vote in the state, calling the two Democrats “dos liberales,” or, “two liberals” in Spanish-language advertising.

Cruz retained his seat, beating back Colin Allred and keeping alive Texas’ streak of not electing a Democratic Senator in more than 30 years.

Republican Texas firebrand U.S. Senator Ted Cruz, 53, won re-election to a third term, Edison Research projected on Tuesday, holding off a formidable Democratic challenger who tried to end a three-decade conservative hold on the seat.