Such was the case with the marquee Senate race between Republican incumbent Ted Cruz and U.S. Rep. Colin Allred. Allred’s nearly 9-point loss to Cruz was disappointing for Democrats hoping the Dallas congressman would give the party its first statewide win in 30 years.

U.S. Rep. Colin Allred, a former NFL linebacker and civil rights lawyer from Dallas, repeatedly broke fundraising records in his campaign, raising more than $80 million by mid-October.

Sen. Cruz and Rep. Allred amplify campaign efforts in Texas ahead of the election, focusing on key issues and voter turnout.

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.

With a combined haul nearing $170 million, Ted Cruz and Colin Allred have set a torrid fundraising pace in their U.S. Senate race.

In the second Allred commercial we've fact-checked, the former football player defends himself. We’re committed to providing you with the election coverage you need as you cast your vote. We’re aiming to raise $2,500. If you value journalism like ours that strengthens democracy and holds our leaders accountable, please make a contribution today.

Republican Sen. Ted Cruz and Democratic Rep. Colin Allred are making their final pitches to Texas voters at campaign stops across the state as Election Day nears.

Republican incumbent Ted Cruz and Democratic challenger Colin Allred returned to the Dallas area to make their closing arguments in the final days of Texas’ red-hot U.S. Senate race. Cruz fired up supporters Friday at a Plano “party barn” where the walls were covered in old-timey memorabilia.