It’s a race to the finish line as U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, the Republican incumbent, and his Democratic rival, U.S. Rep. Colin Allred, make their closing arguments to voters about why they should represent Texas in Washington for the next six years. .

With just days left until Election Day, Cruz and Allred appear to have stopped changing voters’ minds and focused on getting Texans to the polls.

“It seems like they’re trying to talk to their own supporters and making sure that everyone who is likely to vote for them is voting,” Sean Theriault, a government professor at UT Austin, told The Texas Newsroom. “They just go around and talk to their fans and (participate) in small local events.”

This week, Cruz has been hosting “Get Out the Vote” events in the conservative-leaning Dallas suburbs, while Allred has had similar events centered in Democratic strongholds.

This end-of-campaign strategy began last Friday, when the candidates for the United States Senate for Texas were present to receive visits from the presidential candidates of their respective parties. Cruz was present Friday when President Donald Trump held a news conference in Austin before taking his seat. for a long interview with popular podcast host Joe Rogan.

Later that night, Allred joined Vice President Kamala Harris to a demonstration in houston which also featured Willie Nelson and Beyoncé. During his speech, Allred made sure attendees knew that he would be nothing like his Republican predecessor if elected to the U.S. Senate.

“I know you hope your elected officials are working as hard as you. But Ted Cruz has been focused on himself for too long, too long. Twelve years is enough,” Allred said, referring to Cruz’s two previous terms in the Senate.

Cruz basically made the same comment to his followers when he visited Coppell, Texas, on Saturday.

“There has never been as big a divide among Senate candidates as there is between Colin Allred and me,” Cruz said.

Texas US Senate candidates flood the airwaves

Beyond making sure their supporters actually go to the polls and cast their votes, Cruz and Allred have stepped up what has already been a heavy rotation of campaign ads. Both released new commercials last week.

Part of why they’re able to make this latest push is because of money: They’ve both raised millions of dollars. In fact, its contest has officially become the most important in the country. Most expensive US Senate race this election cycle, according to the Houston Chronicle. Combined, Cruz and Allred have raised more than $160 million.

To put that in perspective, with at least $86 million raised, Cruz has raised twice as much as the second-most funded Republican Senate candidate. Allred’s $80 million puts him third among Democrats nationally.

Theriault said these last publicity pushes and campaign stops are the best final pushes candidates can make after a full year of campaigning.

“They are making sure that everyone who is likely to vote for them is voting,” Theriault said.

Overall, Theriault said it’s an exciting time to be in Texas, especially given “what appears to be a closer Senate race than many of us thought it would be six months ago.”

Recent polls show Cruz with a narrow lead over Allred, with just days left to go.