Republican Texas firebrand U.S. Senator Ted Cruz, 53, won re-election to a third term, Edison Research projected on Tuesday, holding off a formidable Democratic challenger who tried to end a three-decade conservative hold on the seat.

Ted Cruz is expected to keep the Texas seat in the U.S. Senate, NBC projected Tuesday. Texas voters decided between Cruz and Democratic Congressman Colin Allred. Democrats held a narrow majority at 51 to 49.