“Congressional District 2 voters want a representative in D.C. who will stand firm in his convictions, fight for his constituents, and follow through on his promises,” Toth said in a statement declaring victory. “I won’t let them down.”

The race evolved into one of the most closely watched Republican primaries in Texas, testing Crenshaw’s standing with the party’s conservative base and underscoring the growing influence of outside groups and high-profile endorsements.

Crenshaw also did not secure an endorsement from Trump, who typically weighs in on competitive Republican primaries in the state. He was the only Texas House Republican on the ballot Tuesday who did not receive Trump’s backing.

A super PAC backing the incumbent poured nearly $2 million into television ads attacking Toth, signaling that Crenshaw’s allies viewed the challenger as a legitimate threat despite Toth’s comparatively modest campaign spending. From Jan. 1 through mid-February, Toth spent roughly $175,000, compared with about $616,000 by Crenshaw. A pro-Toth super PAC added roughly $362,000 to boost his candidacy.

Late endorsements scrambled the dynamic in the final stretch. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) endorsed Toth and quickly recorded an ad for a pro-Toth super PAC. The political arm of the House Freedom Caucus followed suit. Cruz’s move came hours after Crenshaw voted against the ROTOR Act, Cruz’s aviation safety legislation, deepening an already strained relationship between the two Texas Republicans.

“Steve Toth is the best candidate for that seat,” Cruz said. “He’s a strong conservative, and I think his principles and values reflect the values of the voters of the district.”

Crenshaw’s relationship with the president has declined in recent years. He did not vote to overturn the 2020 election results and was outspoken in condemning the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot. He also had a public fallout last year with conservative TV personality Tucker Carlson, further straining ties with parts of the Make America Great Again movement.

Skeptics note that the Freedom Caucus has backed losing candidates before, but Cruz’s involvement carries particular weight in Texas GOP politics.

Redistricting added another layer of volatility, placing Toth’s home inside the district and forcing Crenshaw to navigate newly drawn political terrain.

Crenshaw, a former Navy SEAL seeking a fifth term, built a national profile as a combative Republican unafraid to spar publicly, including with members of his own party. That approach has at times left him at odds with conservatives who question his loyalty to Trump.

TRUMP’S SNUB OF CRENSHAW MAY NOT SWAY TEXAS VOTERS AWAY FROM INCUMBENT 

Toth, a longtime Texas state lawmaker and former megachurch pastor, cast himself as a more reliably conservative alternative, arguing the district needed stronger alignment with the party’s grassroots base.

Crenshaw has survived close primary fights before. But those contests were against underfunded opponents who nonetheless came close to unseating him, making this year’s challenge one of the most serious tests of his political career.