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Sen. John Cornyn (R) has won re-election in Texas, warding off a competitive challenge from Democrat M.J. Hegar, AP projects.
Why it matters: Democrats had hoped to flip the seat in an effort to win back control of the Senate, in a year when many were optimistic about the party's chances in the increasingly purple Texas. Polls consistently showed Cornyn with a moderate lead, while Cook Political Report rated the race as "leans Republican."
