Texas
Ted Cruz wins third Senate term, defeats Democrat Colin Allred in Texas
Texas Republican Sen. Ted Cruz was reelected on Tuesday, defeating U.S. Rep. Colin Allred in this burgeoning state that was thrust to the center of the 2024 election in battles over immigration and abortion.
This outcome marks a setback for Texas Democrats, who have now gone three decades without a statewide victory—the longest losing streak for any party in the nation.
Sen. Ted Cruz, 53, clinched a third term in office after a high-stakes and costly reelection campaign, in contrast to his nail-biting victory over Beto O’Rourke six years ago. This time, Cruz appealed to his party to take his race seriously and reshaped his image to Texas voters, presenting himself as a pragmatic legislator focused on getting things done—an effort to pivot from his past reputation as an uncompromising firebrand with aspirations beyond Texas.
LM Otero/AP
How Did Cruz Gain His Texas Victory?
Though votes were still being counted early Wednesday, Cruz held a comfortable lead over challenger Colin Allred, appearing close to a double-digit advantage—an impressive jump from his narrow win over Beto O’Rourke by less than three percentage points six years ago. Cruz’s victory not only secured his seat but also contributed to Republicans regaining control of the U.S. Senate for the first time in four years.
Cruz addressed his supporters Tuesday night at his watch party in Houston by first walking out to the song “Eye of the Tiger.”
“I want to say to all of those who didn’t support me, you have my word I will fight for you, your jobs, your safety and for your constitutional rights,” he said.
Cruz Law and Order Agenda for Texas
On the campaign trail, Cruz emphasized a strong stance on law and order. In a notable moment, he appeared on stage flanked by Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg, a prominent Democrat and the chief prosecutor of Texas’ largest county.
Colin Allred, a former NFL linebacker, sought to become Texas’ first Black senator by running a moderate campaign. He maintained a measured distance from Vice President Kamala Harris and progressive factions, instead highlighting endorsements from Republicans such as former Rep. Liz Cheney. Allred positioned himself as a staunch advocate for abortion rights in a state known for its stringent bans.
Tony Gutierrez/AP
What is Allred’s Message to Cruz?
In his concession speech at his watch party in Dallas, Allred said he called Cruz and congratulated him on his victory.
“It shouldn’t be remarkable to have to admit defeat,” he said. “You can’t just be a patriot when your side wins. Tonight we didn’t win, but we will continue to be patriots.”
Colin Allred’s campaign faced early criticism from some Democrats who were dissatisfied with his strategy. They expressed frustration over his decision to avoid scheduling numerous large rallies and his limited investment in smaller regions of Texas, including cities along the Texas-Mexico border.
Cruz, however, performed notably better against Allred than he did against O’Rourke six years earlier, showing particular strength in predominantly Hispanic counties along the U.S.-Mexico border.
What Led to the Cruz Victory in Texas?
Insights drawn from the AP VoteCast survey that included over 4,500 voters in Texas, showed that the economy and jobs were foremost concerns among Texas voters, with 40 percent identifying it as the nation’s top issue. Immigration was cited by 20 percent of voters as the most pressing matter, while 10 percent pointed to abortion as their primary concern.
Cruz, a former presidential candidate in 2016, first joined the Senate after serving as Texas’ solicitor general. In 2020, he expanded his reach with a popular podcast, Verdict, where he voiced strong support for then-President Donald Trump during his impeachment, solidifying his influence within conservative circles.
This article includes reporting from The Associated Press
Saturday started out a bit warm and sticky outside in North Texas, but there will be plenty of sunshine in the afternoon. Temperatures are expected to climb into the upper 80s. Most of the area will stay dry today, but there is a chance for an isolated storm that could reach severe criteria late tonight for counties to the northwest of the metroplex.
Make sure you have an indoor plan for Mother’s Day celebrations tomorrow! Sunday morning will start warm, muggy, and dry for most with the exception of an isolated storm possible along the Red River.
A First Alert Weather Day is in place on Sunday due to a front that will swing across North Texas in the late afternoon through the evening. All modes of severe weather will be likely, but the main threat includes a significant risk of hail up to 2 inches in diameter and winds up to category 1 hurricane strength.
Once the front moves through, cooler temperatures will settle into the forecast on Monday. However, the cool down won’t last long. A warming trend returns and temperatures climb into the 90’s once again at the end of the next week. Stay tuned!
Just days before Mother’s Day, a North Texas father is grieving the sudden loss of his wife and unborn son after she died unexpectedly, only days before her due date. Avi Carey said he is still in shock over the death of his wife, Tiffany, whom he described as his “rock” and “soulmate.”
“Tiffany’s smile, her radiance, her presence … she didn’t meet a stranger,” Carey said.
Nearly two decades together
The couple had been together for nearly two decades, raising two children, Kingston and Kasyn, and preparing to welcome their third child, a baby boy they planned to name Kylo.
Carey said Tiffany began complaining of a severe headache just days before she was due to give birth. He recalled her sitting on the couch, dozing off multiple times – something he said was unusual.
A short time later, Carey found her unresponsive.
“I saw her face … her lips were blue. And I already knew,” he said with tears in his eyes.
A celebration turned to heartbreak
Tiffany Carey and her unborn son died May 2, leaving behind a grieving husband and two children. The loss came less than a week after the family had celebrated a baby shower.
“We went from celebrating the baby shower to planning a funeral in less than five days,” Carey said.
A crisis affecting Black mothers
Health officials say cases like this highlight a broader crisis. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Black women in the United States are more than three times as likely as white women to die from pregnancy‑related causes, and most of those deaths – around 80% – are considered preventable.
Carey said he is still searching for answers and now lives with questions about whether warning signs were missed.
“I would say educate yourself. Take everything seriously,” he said. “That should have been a red flag … the headache.”
Honoring Tiffany’s legacy
Now, surrounded by baby supplies meant for a child who never arrived, Carey said he is focused on honoring Tiffany’s memory and raising their children with the values she lived by.
“She always said, ‘You’ve got to lead with love,’” he said. “She did that in everything.”
Trump administration to release UFO files soon, president says
President Trump said his administration plans to release information and materials relating to UFOs.
Ever look up at the vast Texas sky and see something move across it? It could be a shooting star, a satellite — or a UFO.
The Pentagon released several documents Friday, May 8, detailing sightings of unidentified flying objects, or “bogeys,” in U.S. airspace, including reports from Texas.
The documents were released by the U.S. Department of Defense at the directive of President Donald Trump, marking the release of government files related to “alien and extraterrestrial life, unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP)” and UFOs.
“These files, hidden behind classifications, have long fueled justified speculation — and it’s time the American people see it for themselves. This release of declassified documents demonstrates the Trump Administration’s earnest commitment to unprecedented transparency,” said U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth in a statement.
Here’s a look at the files related to Texas.
UFO spotted in 1948 above Abilene, Texas
A DoD incident summary shows that on Jan. 1, 1948, a man identified as “Mr. A. Schroeder” reported a UFO in the 1100 block of Highland Ave in Abilene, Texas.
Schroeder reported seeing a stationary bright blue-green bell-shaped object in the western sky above Abilene at 1:25 a.m. and 1:30 a.m.
Fort Worth man sees UFO above Alaska
Also in 1948, Lt. Aytch Johnson noticed a silver flat disk in the sky in Fairbanks, Alaska.
According to the incident report, the Fort Worth man observed the object flying over Alaska at around 1:06 p.m. on April 18, 1948, at an estimated speed of 250 to 300 miles per hour.
The report also noted that the sighting “may have been the reflection of sun from wings” of aircrafts flying in the area at the time.
Possible UFO sighting during the NASA Gemini 7 space launch
The DoD released the transcript and audio file of NASA’s Gemini 7 mission in 1965 when astronaut Frank Borman reported to NASA mission control in Houston his sighting of an unidentified object, which he referred to as a “bogey.”
While the launch didn’t take place in Texas, the report came back to space control in Houston.
The conversation occurred on Dec. 5, 1965 — 4 hours and 24 minutes into the flight — when Borman notified space control that there was a “bogey” on their left-hand side.
When asked to clarify what they are seeing, Borman said he was seeing “hundreds of little particles” on their left, about three to four miles away.
As NASA Public Affairs clarified, the bogey was an unidentified object, along with the particles.
Pentagon documents report of other possible sightings in Texas
Some documents have connections or reports of possible UFO sightings in Texas, but are missing details to understand the situation.
For example, the DoD received a clipping from the Yoakum Times-Record reporting UFO sightings by Mrs. Anna Banys in 1947, but it is unclear why she was writing to the DoD.
This is a developing story. Check back for more updates.
Mateo Rosiles is the Texas Connect reporter for USA TODAY and its regional papers in Texas. Got a news tip for him? Email him at mrosiles@usatodayco.com.
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