With a little help from Donald Trump, Ted Cruz overcomes 'next Obama' Beto O'Rourke in high-profile Texas US mid-term

Republican Senator Ted Cruz fended off rising-star Democrat Beto O'Rourke to win re-election in a much-watched Texas race that began as a cakewalk but needed a visit from President Donald Trump to help push the incumbent over the top.

Cruz finished a surprising second in the 2016 Republican presidential primary and began the Senate race as a prohibitive favorite. But O'Rourke visited fiercely conservative parts of the state that his party had long since given up on, while shattering fundraising records despite shunning donations from outside political groups and pollster advice.

Cruz argued that his opponent's support for gun control and universal health care were too liberal for Texas. Trump and Cruz were bitter 2016 rivals, but the president visited Houston late last month to solidify the senator's win.

At his victory speech, Cruz hailed the US economy as being a factor behind his success:

"This is a victory for the single mom who's been waiting tables who suddenly sees her wages going up because the economy is booming. This is a victory for the oil field worker who sees now that the United States is the world's top producer of oil."

After what had often been a fractious campaign, Ted Cruz was magnanimous in victory:  

"And I want to also take a moment to congratulate Beto O'Rourke. He poured his heart into this campaign. He worked tirelessly. Listen, listen, it's important. He worked tirelessly. He's a dad and he took times away from his kids.  And I also want to say millions across this state were inspired by his campaign. They didn't prevail and I am grateful the people of Texas chose a different path. But let me say to all of those who worked on his campaign all of those who were inspired that I am your senator as well. My responsibility is to represent every Texan."

He did, however, remark on the almost unprecedented spotlight on the election:

"We saw an assault that was unprecedented. We saw a 100 million dollar race with Hollywood coming in against the state, with the national media coming in against the state. But all the money in the world was no match for the good people of Texas and the hard working men and women across our state."

In his concession speech, Beto O'Rourke spoke about ambition in the light of loss, possibly dropping hints that he is far from done, particularly with the race for the Presidential elections likely to begin by the middle of next year:

"Getting to see all of you tonight and be with you reminds me why we set out to do this in the first place. We’re not about being against anybody. We’re not going to define ourselves by who or what we’re scared of. We are great people. Ambitious. Defined by our aspirations and the hard work we are willing to commit in order to achieve them. Every single one of us from a big city to a small town, the people of Texas will do the great work of the country."

He too was magnanimous, congratulating Ted Cruz: 

"I have now had the opportunity to talk with Sen. Cruz and congratulate him on his victory and wish him well going forward. What I pledged on behalf of all of us is that in this time of division, with the country as polarized as I can remember it in my life, all of this bitterness, if there is anything we can do to help him in his position of public trust to ensure that Texas helps lead the country in a way that brings us back together around big things we want to achieve, whether that is making sure we face any threat against this country or that we are there for every single person who needs a helping hand so we can let your full potential, the ability to see a doctor and receive medication you need, I want to work with him."

At the time of publishing, Ted Cruz leads Beto O'Rourke by 50.9% to 48.3%, and is projected to win.