By Karim Hammam
Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, described the Democratic sweep in the 2026 midterm elections as an "ass-kicking" and a "Watergate-level repudiation" for Republicans, urging his party to prioritize economic issues that voters say are causing real pain.
Cruz urges focus on pocketbook issues
Speaking on his podcast Wednesday, Cruz said Republicans "didn't do enough to address their very real pain," pointing to tariffs raising costs and the Iran war dragging on too long. He cited high prices for food, gas, diesel, insurance and overall cost of living. NBC News exit polls found more than 80% of voters were worried about the prices of necessities including fuel, groceries, utilities and healthcare. "We need to listen and respond," Cruz said, calling for economic policies that make a real difference in working people's lives.
Texas Democrats win historic victories
Democrats prevailed across Texas on Tuesday. James Talarico ended 38 years of Republican dominance over a Senate seat, and Gina Hinojosa made history as the state's first Latina governor and the first Democratic governor in over three decades. Cruz said he called Talarico to congratulate him and pledged to work with Democrats when they are reasonable, but added, "Texas will be red again."
Cornyn acknowledges GOP shortcomings
Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, who lost the GOP Senate primary in May to state Attorney General Ken Paxton, also acknowledged Republican failures on the economy. In a Wall Street Journal op-ed, Cornyn wrote that the party "forgot" how to win elections and favored "performative politics." He argued for a big-tent Republican Party focused on Americans' daily concerns with room for both traditional conservatives and MAGA supporters.
