Texas midterm elections - as it happened: Ted Cruz wins tight Senate race against Beto O'Rourke

Ted Cruz congratulates Beto O'Rourke 'he poured his heart into this campaign'

Texas voters have re-elected Republican Ted Cruz to the US Senate after a tight battle with Democrat Beto O’Rourke.

The Senate seat for the Lone Star state remains ruby red after the historic 2018 midterms, though analysts said Mr O’Rourke brought a wave of Democratic voters to the ballots and could prove a viable candidate in the 2020 presidential elections.

His candidacy may have proven beneficial for Democrats like Gina Ortiz Jones whose bid to win the House of Representatives seat of Republican Will Hurd in the state’s 23rd district was too close to call.

Mr Cruz was not the only Republican to fight back against Democrats threatening the GOP’s hold on the region, however.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott also won a second term by defeating Democrat Lupe Valdez in a race whose outcome was seldom in doubt.

Mr Cruz congratulated Mr O’Rourke during a celebratory speech on Tuesday night, saying his opponent “poured his heart” into the race.

Meanwhile, Mr O’Rourke said he was “so f****** proud” of his supporters in a viral concession speech that essentially left the door open to his running against Donald Trump in 2020.

The president played a key role in the US Senate race, throwing his support behind Mr Cruz and stumping for the Republican despite the two previously hurling exchanges towards each other in the 2016 presidential election.

To catch up on how the evening progressed follow our live blog below

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Key Points

• Initial projection amended after Cruz defeat predicted
• Early results give O'Rourke lead
• Several polling locations remain open due to technical problems
• Beyoncé hands late endorsement to Democrat

[6 November 2018 15:24 · Joe Sommerlad]

For his part, Ted Cruz - who has had to accept the support of Donald Trump despite his old rival for the Republican nomination savaging him on the campaign trail in 2016 - believes his rival has no chance of causing an upset.

"It's the time for choosing. It's the time for action. We know that the hard-left right now, they're angry. They're energised," he said on Monday. "They're filled with rage and hatred for the president. And that's dangerous."

[6 November 2018 16:06 · Joe Sommerlad]

Beto O'Rourke and family have already cast their votes.

[6 November 2018 16:08 · Joe Sommerlad]

Ted Cruz here stressing the importance of making your voice heard at the ballot box today.

[6 November 2018 17:27 · Kristin Hugo]

A 77-year-old woman arrived at the polling station—with her oxygen tank in hand—to cast her ballot for Democrat Beto O'Rourke for U.S. Senate.

[6 November 2018 17:30 · Kristin Hugo]

Beto O'Rourke just casted his vote and said he is optimistic about tonight's outcome.

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[6 November 2018 18:51 · Sarah Harvard]

Sen. Ted Cruz's bus has arrived at the Post Oak Hilton in Houston, Texas. Depending on the election results, he is expected to make either his victory or concession speech there tonight.

[6 November 2018 19:03 · Sarah Harvard]

Democratic Congressman Beto O'Rourke tweeted a photo of one of his supporters, Art, who flew out to Texas from DC to vote for him on Election Day. Art opted to vote through an absentee ballot, but it got misplaced. He then flew out the night before Election Day to vote. 

[6 November 2018 20:55 · Sarah Harvard]

Sen. Ted Cruz and Democratic challenger Beto O'Rourke are using their Twitter accounts to showcase their supporters who casted their ballots today.

Mr Cruz retweeted the wife of a Houston police officer.

Mr O'Rourke tweeted a photo of himself shaking hands with Juan, a first-time voter. 

[6 November 2018 21:06 · Sarah Harvard]

Students at the University of North Texas—with Beto for U.S. Senate signs on hand—are seen chanting and marching towards the polls.

[6 November 2018 22:22 · Sarah Harvard]

Beyonce, wearing a "Beto for Senate" baseball cap, posted three consecutive Instagram posts encouraging her fans to vote.

"I'm feeling grateful for everyone before me who fought so hard to give us all the right to have a voice," the singer wrote in her Instagram post. "We can’t voice our frustrations and complain about what’s wrong without voting and exercising our power to make it right. We need you. We all need each other, because when we are truly united we are unstoppable. Sending you all love and positivity on this happy voting day! Every vote counts. Every race matters. Everywhere."