Incumbent Republican U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz has kept his senate seat after a fierce election contest brought by U.S. Rep. Beto O’Rourke.

O’Rourke, a three-term Democratic Congressman from El Paso, Texas, garnered national attention for creating a competitive race against Cruz, who had been assumed to have a seat safe from any real election challenge.

The challenge by O’Rourke motivated president Trump, a sometimes-critic of Cruz, to hold a political rally for the Republican senate candidate in October in Houston.

Cruz’s election victory yesterday in Texas helped the Republicans keep control of the U.S. Senate.