Lone Texas Republican Ted Cruz unleashes over GOP 'blue tsunami' midterm loss

Senator Ted Cruz of Texas is publicly blaming his own party's failures for a midterm result that stripped Republicans of nearly every major office in his state. Speaking on his podcast, Verdict with Ted Cruz, released Wednesday, he called 2026 a "blue tsunami" and compared it to a Watergate-level repudiation. He said voters are hurting from high prices for food, gas, diesel and insurance, along with more home and car repossessions and record weekly plasma donations, and that too many Republican politicians either failed to grasp this or did not care, according to The Independent.

The losses ended Republican dominance that had lasted since 1994 in statewide offices. James Talarico won a Senate seat, defeating Ken Paxton, the Republican nominee dogged by scandal. Gina Hinojosa defeated Governor Greg Abbott, who was seeking a fourth term. Vikki Goodwin beat Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, and Nathan Johnson captured the attorney general's office. Democrats additionally claimed posts that oversee land, agriculture and energy regulation, several judgeships, and a majority in the state House. Trump had carried Texas by roughly 14 points in 2024.

Cruz, who is not up for reelection until 2030, noted that he is now the only Republican left holding statewide elected office in Texas.

Summarized by PolitiKool from The Independent’s reporting. Read the full story at The Independent →