Ted Cruz holds onto Texas Senate seat

Sen. Ted Cruz held off Rep. Colin Allred to keep his Senate seat from Texas in Republican hands.

Cruz has held the seat since 2013, but Allred gave Democrats hope of pulling the seat over to their side.

Cruz had 54% of the vote when The Associated Press called the race for him Tuesday night.

Republicans are eyeing a Senate takeover, looking to pick up seats and flip the chamber currently held by Democrats.

Democrats went into the election holding a 51-49 advantage in the Senate, counting independents who caucus with Democrats and the tiebreaker if needed from the vice president.

Experts said heading into Election Day that Democrats were looking at a tough map to retain control of the Senate, and Republicans have already flipped seats from Ohio and West Virginia.